Abstract: A drive mechanism for an AGV that includes a drive unit for propelling the AGV and a steering unit for steering the AGV. The drive unit has a drive motor, drive transmission, and a drive wheel. The steering unit has a steering motor. Both motors are fixedly mounted on the AGV and remain stationary relative to each other while the drive motor rotates the drive wheel and the steering motor steers the drive wheel. The drive transmission couples the drive motor to the drive wheel and can be at least partially mounted within a gear housing that is rotatably mounted via a bearing so that the drive motor can be operated to move the AGV via power transferred to the drive wheel via the drive transmission, and the steering motor can be operated to steer the drive wheel by rotation of the gear housing and drive wheel via the bearing.

Abstract: A sensor system for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a plurality of sensor units electronically coupled to a sensor control module via parallel communications. Each sensor unit may include a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements, a conditioning circuit having one or more filter/amplifiers, and a conversion circuit. The sensor control module may be configured to communicate with other AGV components via serial communications. The sensor system is capable of obtaining and storing sensor readings with or without associated offset values and can use the sensor readings to determine the center of a magnetic field using methods that require relatively little processing power. A method of calibrating the sensor system may include determining and storing offset values for a plurality of sensor elements and may be performed with the sensor system installed or uninstalled to the AGV.

Abstract: A sensor system for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a plurality of sensor units electronically coupled to a sensor control module via parallel communications. Each sensor unit may include a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements, a conditioning circuit having one or more filter/amplifiers, and a conversion circuit. The sensor control module may be configured to communicate with other AGV components via serial communications. The sensor system is capable of obtaining and storing sensor readings with or without associated offset values and can use the sensor readings to determine the center of a magnetic field using methods that require relatively little processing power. A method of calibrating the sensor system may include determining and storing offset values for a plurality of sensor elements and may be performed with the sensor system installed or uninstalled to the AGV.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle is equipped with a stabilization system for precisely locating, leveling, or otherwise positioning the AGV and its payload with respect to a work piece. The stabilization system includes one or more extension members that extend away from the AGV to engage the ground or a locating assembly installed in the ground. Each extension member may be part of a locating assembly or a leveling assembly. The locating assembly extension member may extend at least partially into an opening of another locating assembly to align the two locating assemblies. The locating assembly may also be configured to provide a leveling function.

Abstract: A plate pin assembly for use with a fixture that holds multiple plate pin assemblies for use in chassis-body marriage during the manufacturing of automobiles. The plate pin assembly has a lower end that fits into a bushing hole on the fixture to attach the plate pin assembly to the fixture, an upper end that supports or otherwise interacts with the vehicle chassis or body, and a quick-disconnect mechanism to enable fast changeover of the plate pin assemblies on the fixture when switching from one vehicle application to another.

Abstract: A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. One or more movable guides can be used in conjunction with a third or more conveyor sections to permit selective diverting of the pallets between the different conveyor sections.

Abstract: A sensor system for use with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) includes a plurality of sensor units electronically coupled to a sensor control module via parallel communications. Each sensor unit may include a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements, a conditioning circuit having one or more filter/amplifiers, and a conversion circuit. The sensor control module may be configured to communicate with other AGV components via serial communications. The sensor system is capable of obtaining and storing sensor readings with or without associated offset values and can use the sensor readings to determine the center of a magnetic field using methods that require relatively little processing power. A method of calibrating the sensor system may include determining and storing offset values for a plurality of sensor elements and may be performed with the sensor system installed or uninstalled to the AGV.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle is equipped with a stabilization system for precisely locating, leveling, or otherwise positioning the AGV and its payload with respect to a. work piece. The stabilization system includes one or more extension members that extend away from the AGV to engage the ground or a locating assembly installed in the ground. Each extension member may be part of a locating assembly or a leveling assembly. The locating assembly extension member may extend at least partially into an opening of another locating assembly to align the two locating assemblies. The locating assembly may also be configured to provide a leveling function.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an AGV that includes a drive unit for propelling the AGV and a steering unit for steering the AGV. The drive unit has a drive motor, drive transmission, and a drive wheel. The steering unit has a steering motor. Both motors are fixedly mounted on the AGV and remain stationary relative to each other while the drive motor rotates the drive wheel and the steering motor steers the drive wheel. The drive transmission couples the drive motor to the drive wheel and can be at least partially mounted within a gear housing that is rotatably mounted via a bearing so that the drive motor can be operated to move the AGV via power transferred to the drive wheel via the drive transmission, and the steering motor can be operated to steer the drive wheel by rotation of the gear housing and drive wheel via the bearing.

Abstract: A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. One or more movable guides can be used in conjunction with a third or more conveyor sections to permit selective diverting of the pallets between the different conveyor sections.

Abstract: A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. The rollers of the corner injection unit and pickup unit can be powered by the same motor used to drive the chains of the respective conveyor sections.

Abstract: A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. The rollers of the corner injection unit and pickup unit can be powered by the same motor used to drive the chains of the respective conveyor sections.

Abstract: A vehicle tie rod adjustment device for changing the toe of a vehicle wheel by adjusting the overall length of a tie rod assembly. The tie rod adjustment device generally includes a housing, a gear train, an adjustable gear head, and a nut runner. The pivotal gear head threadably adjusts the tie rod assembly by rotatably engaging a hex or flatted portion and a lock nut, and includes one or more roller elements spaced around a guide fork recess to reduce a sliding friction with the tie rod assembly. According to another embodiment, the tie rod adjustment device includes a locking mechanism for maintaining the adjustable gear head in a proper alignment so that one or more components of the gear head can be removed.

Abstract: A vehicle tie rod adjustment device for changing the toe of a vehicle wheel by adjusting the overall length of a tie rod assembly. The tie rod adjustment device generally includes a housing, a gear train, an adjustable gear head, and a nut runner. The pivotal gear head threadably adjusts the tie rod assembly by rotatably engaging a hex or flatted portion and a lock nut, and includes one or more roller elements spaced around a guide fork recess to reduce a sliding friction with the tie rod assembly. According to another embodiment, the tie rod adjustment device includes a locking mechanism for maintaining the adjustable gear head in a proper alignment so that one or more components of the gear head can be removed.

Abstract: A plate pin assembly for use with a fixture that holds multiple plate pin assemblies for use in chassis-body marriage during the manufacturing of automobiles. The plate pin assembly has a lower end that fits into a bushing hole on the fixture to attach the plate pin assembly to the fixture, an upper end that supports or otherwise interacts with the vehicle chassis or body, and a quick-disconnect mechanism to enable fast changeover of the plate pin assemblies on the fixture when switching from one vehicle application to another.

Abstract: A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with an automobile body includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a helical push actuator having a drive motor and at least one band that can be advanced and retracted in a vertical helix with an end of the band being coupled to the fixture to move the fixture between the lowered and raised positions by helical advancement of the band under control of the motor. The lift mechanism includes spaced support members that each extend between the fixture and the vehicle to guide the fixture in the vertical direction and restrain the fixture from moving horizontally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seating a tire bead in the bead seat of a wheel includes the basic steps of: engaging the wheel and generating reciprocating movement of the wheel along the axis of rotation to fully seat the tire bead on the wheel. The method and apparatus further involves the step of rotating the tire and wheel about the wheel's axis of rotation while generating the reciprocating movement, as well as the step of applying pressure to the side walls of the tire while generating the reciprocating movement.

Abstract: A telescoping tire inflation apparatus for inflating wheel-mounted tires having a variety of different diameters and widths without requiring a hardware change. The apparatus includes a bell assembly that moves from a retracted position to an extended position where either an outer bell housing or an inner bell housing engages a larger-sized or smaller-sized wheel-mounted tire, respectively. A controller presets the inner bell housing to either a retracted position wherein the inner bell housing is disposed within the outer bell housing or an extended position where the inner bell housing telescopes downwardly from the outer bell housing. The inner bell housing can be moved to its extended position to push downward upon the sidewall of a relatively smaller-sized wheel-mounted tire, thereby creating a gap between the tire bead and the rim of the wheel through which compressed air supplied to the inner bell housing enters the tire at a high rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for inflating a wheel-mounted tire on a high production basis comprises a platen supported on a frame beneath an inflation head on which the wheel-mounted tire is received. The platen has internal air passages opening opposite a fixed support plate of the frame through which pressurized air is directed to selectively float the platen above the support plate to facilitate near-frictionless horizontal movement of the platen in all radial directions. A centering device locates the wheel-mounted tire precisely in line with the inflation head after which the air is discontinued to lower the platen back onto the support plate. The inflation head is then operated to inflate the tire. The platen is refloated and centered in a home position by a platen centering device.

Abstract: A machine for supporting and lifting an automotive chassis module into position for assembly with a vehicle body being conveyed overhead along an assembly line includes a mobile vehicle having at least one fixture arranged above the vehicle for receiving and supporting the chassis module, and a guided lift mechanism for moving the fixture vertically between lowered and raised positions. The lift mechanism includes a push chain that is coupled to the fixture and a sprocket that engages the chain and is operative when driven to displace a section of the chain vertically to move the fixture. The lift mechanism further includes at least one support member extending between the fixture and the vehicle which operates to guide the fixture in the vertical direction while isolating the push chain from any loads transverse to the vertical direction.