Abstract:
Disclosed is a suspension assembly transport device ( 20 ) that is a device for transporting a suspension assembly ( 10 ) comprising hubs ( 13, 13 ) on both sides, wherein the device comprises attachments ( 50, 50 ) attached to the hubs, receiving members ( 70, 70 ) that support the attachments so that the attachments do not move horizontally, left and right arm members ( 21 L,  21 R) on the bottom of which the receiving members are provided and that move the receiving members in the width direction of the vehicle, and a transport mechanism ( 22 ) that transports the attachments, the receiving members, and the left and right arm members together.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes, for example, an axle beam extending in a vehicle widthwise direction, a suspension provided on the axle beam, hubs provided on opposite ends of the axle beam, and other members. The suspension assembly is an assembly (pre-assembly) provided prior to being mounted to a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In vehicle assembly factories, suspension assemblies are preliminarily provided and subsequently assembled to vehicle bodies, in order to improve the work efficiency. 
         [0003]    Such suspension assemblies are formed in a work process and conveyed to another process where the assemblies are incorporated into the vehicle bodies. The conveyance of the suspension assemblies requires a suspension assembly carrying apparatus. A know type of the suspension assembly carrying apparatus hangs and carries the suspension assembly (patent literature 1 below). 
         [0004]    Patent literature 1 teaches three horizontally extending support shafts for supporting a hub. The hub may be horizontally displaced as the hub is carried. Such horizontal displacement of the hub occurs due to the hub being merely placed on the support shafts, and hence it is necessary to take measures to prevent the horizontal displacement. 
         [0005]    However, if the suspension assembly carrying apparatus takes account of the measures to prevent the horizontal displacement, the apparatus may be structurally complicated and hence become heavier. 
         [0006]    While meeting the need for lightening the apparatus, a structurally simple, lightweight suspension assembly carrying apparatus is desired. 
       PRIOR ART LITERATURE 
     Patent Literature 
       [0007]    Patent Literature 1: JP-B-3186179 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide a structurally simple, lightweight suspension assembly conveyance apparatus. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0009]    According to an aspect of the present invention, as defined in claim  1 , there is provided a suspension assembly conveyance apparatus for lifting up and conveying a suspension assembly including left and right hubs to be connected to vehicle wheels, the hubs being provided at opposite ends of the assembly in a vehicle widthwise direction, the apparatus comprising: 
         [0010]    left and right attachments to be releasably mounted to the hubs from an outside in the vehicle widthwise direction; 
         [0011]    receiving members supporting the attachments such that the attachments do not move horizontally; 
         [0012]    left and right arm members having the receiving members at lower ends thereof for moving the receiving members in the vehicle widthwise direction; and 
         [0013]    a carrying mechanism for carrying the attachments, the receiving members and the left and right arm members together. 
         [0014]    Preferably, as defined in claim  2 , the hub includes an annular portion protruding outwardly in the vehicle widthwise direction to mate with the wheel, and the attachment includes a fitting hole to fit over the annular portion. 
         [0015]    Preferably, as defined in claim  3 , the attachment includes a body portion, a neck portion extending outwardly from the body portion in the vehicle widthwise direction, and a head portion provided at a distal end of the neck portion. The arm member includes a retention portion having a positioning recess portion fitting over the neck portion, and the neck portion fits in the positioning recess portion by insertion between the body portion and the head portion. 
         [0016]    Preferably, as defined in claim  4 , the body portion has at least one bolt hole for allowing a wheel fixing bolt to pass through the at least one bolt hole for fixing the wheel to the hub. 
         [0017]    Preferably, as defined in claim  5 , the bolt hole is an elongated hole extending along a radially extending centerline passing through a center on which the hub rotates. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0018]    Regarding the invention defined in claim  1 , the receiving member supports the attachment such that the attachment does not move horizontally. Thus, there is no concern about horizontal displacement of the hub as the hub is carried. 
         [0019]    Since the receiving member is only added to the arm member, the conveyance apparatus does not become complicated. The receiving member is structurally simple, and hence the reduction in size and weight is easy. 
         [0020]    According to the present invention, thus, there is provided the structurally simple, lightweight suspension assembly conveyance apparatus. 
         [0021]    Regarding the invention defined in claim  2 , the fitting portion on the side of the hub and the fitting hole on the side of the body portion can bear a load. This results in improvement of the support strength. 
         [0022]    Regarding the invention defined in claim  3 , the neck portion of the attachment fits in the positioning recess portion of the arm member. The neck portion is easily mounted to or removed from the positioning recess portion. In addition, the attachment is less likely to come off the arm member. 
         [0023]    Regarding the invention defined in claim  4 , the hub and the attachment can be connected using the wheel fixing bolt in combination with a nut. This eliminates concern about detachment of the attachment from the hub. 
         [0024]    Regarding the invention defined in claim  5 , the bolt hole is the elongated hole to maintain connection with the wheel fixing bolt even if the wheel fixing bolt is shifted. The conveyance of suspension assemblies of vehicles using different wheel fixing bolts can be achieved by the single conveyance apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a suspension assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a suspension assembly conveyance apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view taken in a direction of arrows  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a hub and an attachment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a correlation between bolt holes and wheel fixing bolts; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a region  6  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a view taken in a direction of an arrow  7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating arm members in an open position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a view illustrating the arm members in a closed position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a function of a receiving member; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the receiving member and a head member fitting together; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a view illustrating an modification to the arm members; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a view illustrating a further modification to the arm members. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings shall be viewed in the same orientation as reference numerals. 
       Embodiment 
       [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a suspension assembly  10  includes an axle beam  11  extending in a vehicle widthwise direction, upwardly extending left and right suspensions  12 ,  12  mounted on opposite end portions of the axle beam  11 , left and right hubs  13 ,  13  rotatably mounted on opposite ends of the axle beam  11 , and a differential case  14  provided on a center of the axle beam  11 . To the left and right hubs, wheels are to be mounted in a subsequent process. The suspension  12  includes a damper  15  and a spring  16 . 
         [0040]    The suspension assembly  10  is preliminarily formed in a location different from a vehicle assembly line. An assembly operation performed on the vehicle assembly line is simple because the suspension assembly  10  is merely mounted to a vehicle body on the assembly line. 
         [0041]    The suspension assembly  10  is carried to the vehicle assembly line. A preferred example of a suspension assembly conveyance apparatus  20  used for carrying the assembly  10  is described below. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the suspension assembly conveyance apparatus  20  includes left and right attachments  50 ,  50  releasably mounted to the hubs  13 ,  13  from the outside in the vehicle widthwise direction, and left and right arm members  21 L,  21 R pivotable in the vehicle widthwise direction. The arm members  21 L,  21 R have receiving members  70 ,  70  provided at lower ends thereof to mate with the attachments  50 ,  50 . The reference signs “L” and “R” used herein are the suffixes indicating the left and the right, respectively. The apparatus  20  also includes a carrying mechanism  22  for raising and lowering these arm members  21 L,  21 R and horizontally moving the arm members  21 L,  21 R. 
         [0043]    The carrying mechanism  22  is a so-called overhead conveyer and has a structure including a lifting frame  23  at a lower part thereof. That is, the lifting frame  23  is movable up and down and in a direction orthogonal to a sheet of the figure. 
         [0044]    The lifting frame  23  includes horizontal beams  25 ,  26  interconnecting vertical beams  24 ,  24 . The lower horizontal beam  25  has hooks  27 ,  27  for hooking the springs  16 ,  16  which are parts of the suspension assembly. In addition, the lifting frame  23  includes hooks  29 ,  29  for hooking the left and right attachments  50 ,  50  when the left and right attachments  50 ,  50  are not in use. These hooks  29 ,  29  have boxes  31 ,  31  for storage of bolts or nuts  66  etc. for mounting of the attachments  50 . The horizontal beam  25  has its center equipped with a differential retaining mechanism  40 . 
         [0045]    The left and right arm members  21 L,  21 R are supported by support shafts  33 ,  33  at the middle horizontal beam  26  such that the arm members can pivot in a left-right direction of the figure. A lever  34 L extends upwardly from the left arm member  21 L, and a lever  34 R extends downwardly from the right arm member  21 R. A tie rod  36  interconnects these levers  34 L,  34 R. 
         [0046]    A stay  37 L extends obliquely in a left and downward direction from the horizontal beam  26 . A stay  37 R extends obliquely in a right and downward direction from the horizontal beam  26 . Arms  38 L,  38 R extend toward the center from the arm members  21 L,  21 R. The stay  37 L and the arm  38 L are connected to each other through a toggle spring  39 L. The stay  37 R and the arm  38 R are connected to each other through a toggle spring  39 R. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the differential retaining mechanism  40  includes a bracket  41  secured to the horizontal beam  25 , and three chains  42 ,  42 ,  42  suspended from the bracket  41 . Of the three chains, the two right chains  42 ,  42  are aligned in a direction orthogonal to a sheet of  FIG. 3 . The differential retaining mechanism  40  also includes a lifting plate  43  hung on the chains  42 ,  42 ,  42 , and J-shaped hooks  44 ,  44 ,  44  provided on the lifting plate  43 . The two right hooks  44 ,  44  are aligned in the direction orthogonal to the sheet of  FIG. 3 . The differential retaining mechanism  40  further includes a lifting rod  45  extending upwardly from the lifting plate  43 , a column member  46  extending upwardly from a center of the bracket  41 , a handle  47  vertically pivotably mounted to the column member  46 , a V-shaped plate  48  mounted on a base portion of the handle  47 , and a pin  49  connecting a lower part of the V-shaped plate  48  to the lifting rod  45  (including its extension member). 
         [0048]    When the three chains  42 ,  42 ,  42  are brought to a fully extended position to lower the lifting plate  43 , it can be centered at a predetermined location. Preferably, the lifting rod  45  is connected at its lower end to the center of gravity of the lifting plate  43  including the J-shaped hooks  44 ,  44 ,  44  (the “center of gravity of the lifting plate” used herein including a vicinity of the center of gravity). The connection of the lower end of the lifting rod  45  to the center of gravity enables the lifting plate  43  to be raised and lowered in a horizontal position. Further, when the three chains  42 ,  42 ,  42  are located at three apexes of a triangle, respectively, and the lifting rod  45  is connected to the center of gravity of the triangle, such that the lifting plate  43  can be retained in a horizontal position by the chains  42 ,  42 ,  42 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the J-shaped hooks  44 ,  44 ,  44  directly or indirectly engage the differential case  14  to enable the chains  42 ,  42 ,  42  to hang the differential case  14 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), the hub  13  includes a boss portion  62  having a bearing  61 . The hub  13  also includes a cup-shaped hub body  63  integrally assembled to the boss portion  62 , and an annular portion  64  protruding from the hub body  63  to mate with a center of a wheel for bearing a load. The hub  13  further includes plural (four or five) wheel fixing bolts  65  provided on the hub body  63  in such a manner as to surround the annular portion  64 . 
         [0051]    The attachment  50  includes a disc-shaped body portion  53 . The body portion  53  has bolt holes  52 ,  52 L and a fitting hole  51  to fit over the annular portion  64  for use in mounting a typical wheel. The attachment  50  further includes a neck portion  54  extending from the body portion  53 , and a head portion  55  provided at a distal end of the neck portion  54 . The head portion  55  is larger in diameter than the neck portion  54 . 
         [0052]    The fitting portion  51  fits over the annular portion  64  by a predetermined length such that the annular portion  64  and the fitting portion  51  are in close contact with each other to define a load-bearing part for simplifying a fastening operation using a nut etc. 
         [0053]    The attachment  50  is brought to mate with the hub  13  in close contact with the hub in a manner to allow the bolt holes  52 ,  52 L to fit over the wheel fixing bolts  65 . Preferably, at least one nut  66  for temporary fastening is tightened to the wheel fixing bolt  65  to firmly assemble the nut  66  and the bolt  65  together. 
         [0054]    The nut  66  is tightened to the hub  13  after the attachment  50  is set with the bolt holes  52 ,  52 L being located at a lower side of the attachment  50 . This results in an improved performance of preventing detachment of the attachment  50 . 
         [0055]    As a result, the attachment  50  is mounted to the hub  13 , as shown in  FIG. 4(   b ). Since the arm member ( FIG. 2 , reference numeral  21 L or  21 R) presses the attachment  50  against the hub  13 , the mounting of the nut  66  can be omitted. 
         [0056]    There is one kind of vehicle including the hub  13  having the five wheel fixing bolts  65  as shown in  FIG. 5(   b ). There is another kind of vehicle having the four wheel fixing bolts  65  as shown in  FIG. 5(   c ). The five wheel fixing bolts  65  ( FIG. 5(   b )) have a pitch circle (PCD) larger than that of the four wheel fixing bolts ( FIG. 5(   c )) although the outer diameter of the annular portion  64  is common regardless of the kind of vehicle. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 5(   a ), the bolt hole  52 L provided in the attachment  50  is a commoditized hole defined by a single elongated hole extending along a radially extending centerline  57  passing through a center  56  on which the hub rotates. The other holes are dedicated holes. The elongated hole has a length set to correspond to the pitch circles of the wheel fixing bolts  65 ,  65  shown in  FIGS. 5(   b ) and ( c ). 
         [0058]    That is, since the bolt hole  52 L is the elongated hole, the single kind of attachment  50  can correspond to the hubs  13 ,  13  of different sizes or specifications. 
         [0059]    The attachment  50  has a hole formed through a longitudinal central region thereof such that the attachment  50  is hooked by the hook  29  provided on the horizontal beam  25  when the attachment  50  is not in use. 
         [0060]    Next, the structures of the receiving members  70  provided at the lower ends of the arm members  21 L,  21 R are discussed. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the receiving member  70  includes a back plate  71 , side plates  72  extending from the back plate  71 , a retention portion  73  extending between and interconnecting distal ends of the side plates  72 , and a guide plate  74  provided between the retention portion  73  and the back plate  71 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the retention portion  73  has a cutout defining an upwardly-open positioning recess portion  75 . A width W of the positioning recess portion  75  corresponds to an outer diameter of the neck portion ( FIG. 4 , reference numeral  54 ). The positioning recess portion  75  includes an upper part having slanting portions  76 ,  76  forming a V-shape to guide the neck portion ( FIG. 4 , reference numeral  54 ) into the U-shaped positioning recess portion  75  provided on the retention portion  73 , such that the head portion  55  guides the neck portion to a predetermined location and prevents the neck portion from coming off. 
         [0063]    The shape of the positioning recess portion  75  is not limited to that shown in  FIG. 7 , but can be an upwardly-open U-, V- or other similar shape. 
         [0064]    Next, a description is made below as to a function of the suspension assembly conveyance apparatus  20  stated above. 
         [0065]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , the left and right arm members  21 L,  21 R in an open position are lowered. During the lowering of the members  21 L,  21 R, the toggle springs  39 L,  39 R in a compressed position are located outside support axes  78 ,  78 . Thus, there is no concern about swaying of the arm members  21 L,  21 R as the arm members  21 L,  21 R are raised and lowered. 
         [0066]    For example, when the left arm member  21 L is pushed with an operator&#39;s hand, as indicated by an arrow ( 1 ), the lever  34 L is turned counterclockwise in the figure to pull the tie rod  36 . This causes the right lever  34 R to turn clockwise in the figure, such that the right arm member  21  pivots, as indicated by an arrow ( 2 ). During the pivotal movement, the arms  38 L,  38 R move toward the center to allow the toggle springs  39 L,  39 R to pass across the support axes  78 ,  78 . The toggle springs  39 L,  39 R provide maximum lengths when the toggle spring  39 L,  39 R are positioned in coincidence with the support axes  78 ,  78 . After the toggle springs  39 L,  39 R move past the support axes  78 ,  78 , the arm members  21 L,  21 R are prompted to pivot under the action of the pulling force of the toggle springs  39 L,  39 R. 
         [0067]    That is, one operator can open and close the two arm members  21 L,  21 R because the levers  34 L,  34 R and the tie rod  36  cause the one arm member  21 L (or  21 R) to pivot in synchronization with the other arm member  21 R (or  21 L). 
         [0068]    The pivotal movements indicated by the arrows ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) bring the arm members  21 L,  21 R to an almost close position, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0069]    That is, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the receiving member  70  indicated by a solid line moves to a location indicated by a phantom line, where the receiving member  70  stops with an inclined portion  74   a  of the guide plate  74  touching the head portion  55  of the attachment  50 . 
         [0070]    When the receiving member  70  is elevated from the location indicated by the phantom line, the receiving member  70  upwardly slides on the head portion  55 , as indicated by an arrow ( 3 ). 
         [0071]    As a result, the head portion  55  is sandwiched between the guide plate  74  and the retention portion  73 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . After that, there is no concern about removal of the head portion  55 , i.e., removal of the attachment  50  from the receiving member  70  as the receiving member  70  is raised. 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 2 , at the time the attachments  50 ,  50  fit into the receiving members  70 ,  70 , the chains  42 ,  42 ,  42  fully extend such that the J-shaped hooks  44 ,  44 ,  44  positioned in place is located lower than the differential case  14 . 
         [0073]    In  FIG. 3 , the handle  47  is subsequently elevated as indicated by an arrow ( 4 ). Then, the lifting rod  45  is raised to bring the J-shaped hooks  44 ,  44 ,  44  into direct or indirect engagement with the differential case  14 , such that the differential retaining mechanism  40  retains the differential case  14 , thereby eliminating concern about loads being borne by the arm members  21 L,  21 R during the conveyance. 
         [0074]    The left and right arm members  21 L,  21 R are not limited to the pivotal arms, but may be provided as modified ones discussed below. 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the tie rod is divided into left and right ones. The left tie rod  36 L has its center end mounted to a horizontal turn lever  81 , and the left tie rod  36 R has its center end mounted to the horizontal turn lever  81 . The horizontal lever  81  may be turned by a handle  82 . In respect with the other elements, reference numerals shown in  FIG. 2  are used, and discussions of these elements are omitted. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the left arm member  21 L may be pivoted by a left actuator  83 L, and the right arm member  21 R may be pivoted by a right actuator  83 R. The actuators  83 L,  83 R are preferably air cylinder units. 
         [0077]    Although the present invention is suitable for conveyance of a rear suspension assembly, the invention may be applied to a front suspension assembly. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0078]    The present invention is suitable for conveyance of a suspension assembly having hubs without wheels being mounted thereto. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST  
       [0079]      10  . . . a suspension assembly,  11  . . . an axle beam,  12  . . . a suspension,  13  . . . a hub,  20  . . . a suspension assembly conveyance apparatus,  21 L,  21 R . . . arm members,  22 . . . . a carrying mechanism,  50  . . . an attachment,  51  . . . a fitting hole,  52 L . . . an elongated bolt hole,  53  . . . a body portion,  54  . . . a neck portion,  55  . . . a head portion,  56  . . . a center on which the hub rotates,  57  . . . a centerline,  64  . . . an annular portion,  65  . . . a wheel fixing bolt,  70  . . . a receiving member,  73  . . . a retention portion,  75  . . . a positioning recess portion, W . . . a width of the positioning recess portion