US 12,221,227 B2
System and method for positioning vehicle components for assembly
Eckart Frankenberger, Hamburg (DE)
Assigned to Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed by Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed on Sep. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/460,887.
Claims priority of application No. 22195998 (EP), filed on Sep. 15, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0092504 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. B64F 5/10 (2017.01); G01S 5/02 (2010.01); G01S 5/14 (2006.01); G01S 13/46 (2006.01)
CPC B64F 5/10 (2017.01) [G01S 5/0284 (2013.01); G01S 5/14 (2013.01); G01S 13/46 (2013.01); G01S 2013/466 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for positioning a plurality of vehicle components relative to each other on a floor in order to prepare an assembly of the vehicle components, the system comprising:
a plurality of carriers for receiving a vehicle component in each case;
a plurality of positioning tables, having a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lower portion is configured to be fixed to a floor, and wherein the upper portion is configured to receive a carrier;
a location device having at least one base and a plurality of mobile units which are configured to be moved relative to the at least one base;
at least one transport device; and
at least one position control unit,
wherein at least a part-quantity of the positioning tables are configured to move the respective upper portion thereof along at least two movement axes relative to the respective lower portion in order to position a carrier which is located thereon,
wherein the at least one transport device is configured to guide the carriers from an external position toward a positioning table and to place them on the upper portion,
wherein the location device is constructed to determine positions of the respective mobile units relative to the at least one base,
wherein the mobile units are arranged on the upper portions of the positioning tables, the vehicle components, or both,
wherein the location device and the positioning tables are coupled to the at least one position control unit,
wherein the at least one position control unit is configured to control a movement of the respective upper portion relative to a predetermined target position over the floor,
wherein each carrier has a recess at the lower side thereof,
wherein the at least one transport device is configured to assume a compacted state and an extended state, and
wherein the recess and the transport device are sized to complement each other so that the transport device is configured to be introduced in the compacted state into the recess and in the extended state lifts the carrier for movement.