Abstract:
An apparatus for lifting and rotating a frame of a motor vehicle includes a rotisserie and a rotatably connected fixture that holds the motor vehicle frame during production. The fixture includes clamps extending from arms of the fixture and clamps extending from the front support for affixing the frame of the motor vehicle to the fixture. The fixture may further include a passive lock mechanism for engaging a side sill of the frame that includes a latch, a locking extension, a latch spring that holds the latch in engagement with the frame, and a pendulum that rotates relative to the fixture but remains oriented in a fixed location relative to horizontal. The latch may only be disengaged from the frame when the locking extension is aligned to be received by a slot in the pendulum when the fixture is rotated to the home location.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A rotisserie fixture so a vehicle frame or body may be lifted, lowered, or rotated 360° about a longitudinal axis so that assembly steps may be performed with the vehicle frame or body in an optimal position for a manufacturing associate to complete an assembly step in a limited production manufacturing environment. 
       APPLICATION SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. 
         [0003]    According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for use in production of a motor vehicle to lift a frame of the motor vehicle and rotate the frame 360° about a longitudinal axis includes a rotisserie and a fixture rotatably connected to the rotisserie for holding the frame of the motor vehicle during production and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The fixture further includes a mounting plate attached to the rotisserie, a support structure comprising a lateral support that connected to the mounting plate, first and second longitudinal arms having first ends connected to extending longitudinally from the lateral support, and a front support extending between second ends of the first and second longitudinal arms, first and second clamps extending from the first ends of the first and second longitudinal arms for affixing the frame of the motor vehicle to the support structure, and third and fourth clamps extending from the front support for affixing the frame of the motor vehicle to the support structure. 
         [0004]    According to another aspect of the invention, An apparatus for use in production of a motor vehicle to lift a frame of the motor vehicle and rotate the frame 360° about a longitudinal axis includes a rotisserie and a fixture rotatably connected to the rotisserie for holding the frame of the motor vehicle during production and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The fixture further includes a mounting plate attached to the rotisserie a support structure including and a lateral support that connected to the mounting plate, first and second longitudinal arms having first ends connected to extending longitudinally from the lateral support, and a front support extending between second ends of the first and second longitudinal arms. A lock mechanism for engaging a side sill of the frame includes a latch, the latch having a inclined top for allowing the frame to be loaded onto the fixture, thereby creating an interference fit to lock the frame onto the fixture, the latch also having a locking extension, a latch spring that holds the latch in engagement with the frame, a pendulum that rotates relative to the fixture but remains oriented in a fixed location relative to the rotisserie, the pendulum having a slot for receiving the locking extension when the fixture is rotated to a home location, and wherein the latch may only be disengaged from the frame when the locking extension is aligned to be received by the slot when the fixture is rotated to the home location. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rotisserie fixture; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fixture holding a motor vehicle body; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a motor vehicle frame; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fixture; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an overhead view of a rotisserie fixture; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a close up view of a clamp on the fixture; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a close up view of a clamp on the fixture engaged with motor vehicle frame; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a close up view of a front portion of the fixture; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a close up view of a front portion of the fixture; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a front view of an alternate embodiment latching apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a rear view of an alternate embodiment latching apparatus; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a front view showing a side sill being loaded into an alternate embodiment latching apparatus; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a front view showing a side sill being loaded into an alternate embodiment latching apparatus as the side sill moves the latch; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a front view showing a side sill being loaded into an alternate embodiment latching apparatus as the latch creates an interference fit with the side sill; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a front view showing the fixture and the alternate embodiment latching apparatus in a rotated position. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    The figures depict various embodiments of the embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments described herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The purpose of a rotisserie fixture, as shown in  FIG. 2   1 - 3 , is to allow for the frame  12  of a motor vehicle body  14  to be lifted and rotated 360° about a longitudinal axis  16  in a limited production manufacturing environment. This rotisserie fixture allows 10 for more ergonomic positioning of the frame  12  of the motor vehicle body  14  for manufacturing associates during various processes. 
         [0022]    The embodiment illustrated in the drawings includes rotisserie  18  and a fixture  20 . The fixture  20  further includes a transverse support  21 , two supporting arms  22  extending from the transverse support  21 , and a mounting plate  24  that attaches the transverse support  21  to the rotisserie  18 . In the embodiment shown and further illustrated in  FIGS. 4-5 , clamps  26 ,  28  secure the motor vehicle frame  12  to the fixture  20 . Clamps  26 ,  28  are preferably located at four (4) location points  33 , 34 , 35 , 36  on the fixture  20 . Two (2) clamps  28  secure the front  30  of the motor vehicle frame  12  at the two (2) front location points  35 , 36 , and two (2) clamps  26  secure the rear  32  of the motor vehicle frame  12  to the fixture  20  at the two (2) rear location points  33 , 34 . The fixture  20  should preferably hold the motor vehicle frame securely while the frame  12  and motor vehicle body  14  rotate 360° about the longitudinal axis  16 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , attachment clamps  26  are preferably quick latching so that easy engagement and disengagement of the motor vehicle frame  12  from the fixture  20  can occur by a single manufacturing associate. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a quick releasing pin  40  is used to aid in the engagement and disengagement of each of the rear clamps  26 . While the clamps  26  illustrated in the embodiments of shown in the Figures are designed to be operated manually, the clamps  26  may also include pneumatic or electrical devices, not shown, installed to assist the manufacturing associate in the clamping process. 
         [0024]    According to the embodiments described herein, the rear clamps  26  pins  40  should preferably be releasable and detachable from outside the motor vehicle frame  12  by a manufacturing associate stationed outside of the motor vehicle frame  12 . Each clamp  26 , 28  should have three (3) points of contact  42 , 44 , 46  with the motor vehicle frame  12 , which preferably includes the top 42, the bottom  46 , and at least one (1) side  44  at each attachment point  33 , 34 , 35 , 36  of the clamp  26 , 28  to the motor vehicle frame  12 . This acts to fixedly secure the motor vehicle frame  12  to the fixture  20 , particularly as the motor vehicle frame  12  is rotated longitudinally by the rotisserie  18 . 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, proximity switch brackets may be installed to each clamp  26 , 28  to allow for installation of proximity switches  48 . Proximity switches  48  may be used to determine if clamps  26 , 28  are fully engaged and secured to the motor vehicle frame  12 . Operation of the proximity switches  48  may be carried out in any way known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    The rear supporting clamps  26  should preferably be permanently fixed in space to the fixture  20 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the front clamps  28  located on the front support  50  preferably slide into place to secure the frame  12  with the necessary three (3) points of contact  42 , 44 , 46 . The front support  50  preferably is not permanently fixed in space so that it does not interfere with the loading and unloading of the motor vehicle frame  12  into the fixture  20 . The motor vehicle frame  20  is loaded into the fixture  20  along the longitudinal axis  16  of the motor vehicle frame  20 . The front support  50  includes a straight bar  52  attached to a swivel ball joint  54  so that it can be stored away when the fixture  20  is not in use. Attachment clamps  28  are preferably integrated into the straight bar  52  so that they can be easily engaged by a manufacturing associate to complete the three (3) points of contact  42 , 44 , 46  at the attachment points  35 , 36 . 
         [0028]    The fixture  20  preferably includes load guides  56  that align and guide the motor vehicle frame  12  into the fixture  20  and rear clamps  26  when loaded by the manufacturing associate. 
         [0029]    In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the entire fixture  20  is fixedly attached to the rotisserie  18  by a mounting plate  24 . The transverse support  21  and supporting arms  22  of the fixture  20  are suspended from the mounting plate  24  to form a single attachment point that acts in a cantilever fashion. The mounting plate  24  is further attached to the rotisserie machine  18  by any means known to one skilled in the art. The rotisserie  18  is capable of raising and lower the fixture  20  in a vertical manner, as well as rotating the mounting plate  24 , and thus the entire fixture  20 , 360° along a longitudinal axis  16 . The fixture  20  is wide enough that the so that the fixture supporting arms  22  remain to the outside of the motor vehicle body  14  do they do not interfere with the manufacturing processes. 
         [0030]    The fixture  20  is preferably made of aluminum or stainless steel, which must be capable of securely holding a load of approximately 650 lbs. (295 kg). The farthest points of the fixture  20  away from the mounting plate  24  should preferably not deflect more than 25.4 mm per 4.572 meters (1 inch per 15 feet) in length of the motor vehicle frame  12 . 
         [0031]    In an alternate embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10-15 , a motor vehicle frame  12  is positioned into fixture  20 . The motor vehicle frame  12  is then locked or secured to the fixture  20  as previously described. In addition to or in place of one of the clamps  26 , 28  previously discussed, a passive latch apparatus  60  may be included on the fixture  20 . The passive latch apparatus  60  is configured to securely lock the motor vehicle frame  12  on the fixture  20  so that the motor vehicle frame  12  cannot be accidentally released from the fixture  20 . During the assembly process, a manufacturing associate lowers, for example, a side sill  62  of a motor vehicle frame  12  onto the fixture  20 . As shown in  FIG. 11-14 , the side sill  62  urges a latch  64  to rotate about a rotational axis  66  and stretch or expand a latch spring  68  operatively coupling the latch  64  to the fixture  20 . With the side sill  62  seated in the fixture  20 , the latch spring  68  retracts to a biased position to pull the latch  64  into a locked position securing the side sill  62  within the fixture  20 . As the rotisserie  18  rotates the fixture  20  to an optimal assembly position, illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a pendulum  70  coupled to the fixture  20  maintains its orientation relative to the horizontal, i.e., the factory floor, due to gravitational forces. The pendulum  70  is preferable a freely rotatable disk  80  with a weight  82  that causes the pendulum  70  to maintain a home position as the rest of the fixture  20  rotates. At a home position, a locking extension  74  on the latch may be mated with a slot  76  in the pendulum  70  when the latch  64  is disengaged from the side sill  62 . At a rotisserie  18  rotation beyond 18°, the pendulum maintains  70  the latch  64  in a locked position, as shown in  FIG. 15 , to provide additional security in holding the motor vehicle frame  12  in place on the fixture  20 . This is accomplished by the locking extension  74  and latch  64  rotating with the rest of the fixture, but the pendulum  70 , and thus the slot  76 , maintaining the home position relative to horizontal. Thus, the locking extension  74  is no longer aligned with slot  76 . Locking extension  74  instead is held in place by the solid body of pendulum  70 , preventing the latch  64  from disengaging from the side sill  62 . When the fixture  20  rotates back to horizontal, the locking extension  74  is again is aligned with slot  76  in the pendulum  70 . As the latch  64  is disengaged by pulling cord  72 , the locking extension  74  rotates into slot  76 , and the latch  64  disengages from the side sill  62 . 
         [0032]    When the rotisserie  18  returns the fixture  20  to the initial position, illustrated in  FIG. 14 , there is no danger of the motor vehicle frame  12  falling out of the fixture  20 , and the pendulum  70  no longer acts as a latch  64  lock. The manufacturing associate may pull a release cable  72  coupled to a top portion of the latch  64  to pivot the latch  64  away from the side sill  62  of the motor vehicle frame  12 , and the side sill  62  is lifted from the fixture  20 . When the cable  72  is released, the latch spring  68  moves to the biased position. 
         [0033]    Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0034]    However, all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or “determining” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device (such as a specific computing machine), that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0035]    In addition, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, which is set forth in the claims. 
         [0036]    While particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatuses of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims.