Abstract: The seam welding apparatus welds a workpiece held by a robot while delivering the workpiece between a pair of electrode rolls. The seam welding apparatus includes a load cell mounted on the robot, for detecting a load imposed along a Y direction which is perpendicular to a pressing direction Z along which the electrode rolls press the workpiece at a weld point and a delivering direction X along which the robot delivers the workpiece at the weld point, a robot controller and an arithmetic unit, a turning mechanism for turning the electrode rolls about the pressing direction Z, and a control device for controlling the turning mechanism to operate depending on the magnitude of the load in the Y direction detected by the load cell.

Abstract: The seam welding apparatus welds a workpiece held by a robot while delivering the workpiece between a pair of electrode rolls. The seam welding apparatus includes a load cell mounted on the robot, for detecting a load imposed along a Y direction which is perpendicular to a pressing direction Z along which the electrode rolls press the workpiece at a weld point and a delivering direction X along which the robot delivers the workpiece at the weld point, a robot controller and an arithmetic unit, a turning mechanism for turning the electrode rolls about the pressing direction Z, and a control device for controlling the turning mechanism to operate depending on the magnitude of the load in the Y direction detected by the load cell.

Abstract: Positions of predetermined spots in a frame of a motorcycle are determined by sensing all the predetermined spots in one direction from a front side or a rear side of the frame of the motorcycle by a sensing device.

Abstract: A welding jig for holding a motorcycle fuel tank when the fuel tank is welded includes a plurality of attachments for holding said fuel tank through resilient bodies. The plurality of attachments have springs hold the outer plate of a fuel tank, and an inner jig positions an inner plate. The attachments are attached to clamp arms which are opened/closed by cylinders. When the overlap portion between the outer and inner plates is welded, the thermal deformation caused by welding is accommodated by the springs. The attachments are spaced from the fuel tank in the order in which the welding point is approached.

Abstract: A plurality of attachments having springs hold the outer plate of a fuel tank, and an inner jig positions the inner plate. The attachments are attached to clamp arms which are opened/closed by cylinders. When the overlap portion between the outer and inner plates is welded, the thermal deformation caused by welding is accommodated by the springs. The attachments are spaced from the fuel tank in the order in which the welding point is approached.

Abstract: In a welding station, one end of a positioning jig is held by a positioning robot, and the other end of the positioning jig is held by a positioning jig holder mechanism. The positioning robot is moved for positioning and fixing a vehicle body frame, which is fixed to the positioning jig, in any attitude, and a desired welding operation is performed on the vehicle body frame.

Abstract: TIG welding equipment includes a first articulate robot having a first arm, a TIG torch holding member for holding a TIG torch at a specified position so that the TIG torch can perform a weaving operation, and a filler wire guide moving member formed so as to surround the TM torch holding member and holdingly moving a filler wire guide in Z-axis direction.

Abstract: In a welding station, one end of a positioning jig is held by a positioning robot, and the other end of the positioning jig is held by a positioning jig holder mechanism. The positioning robot is moved for positioning and fixing a vehicle body frame, which is fixed to the positioning jig, in any attitude, and a desired welding operation is performed on the vehicle body frame.

Abstract: A plurality of attachments having springs hold the outer plate of a fuel tank, and an inner jig positions the inner plate. The attachments are attached to clamp arms which are opened/closed by cylinders. When the overlap portion between the outer and inner plates is welded, the thermal deformation caused by welding is accommodated by the springs. The attachments are spaced from the fuel tank in the order in which the welding point is approached.

Abstract: TIG welding equipment, comprising a first articulate robot having a first arm, a TIG torch holding means holding a TIG torch at a specified position so that the TIG torch can perform a weaving operation, and a filler wire guide moving means formed so as to surround the TIG torch holding means and holdingly moving a filler wire guide in Z-axis direction.

Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: A light vehicle includes a lid that is pivotable about a hinge, provided at the rear end of the lid, for opening and closing a rear trunk. Locking members are provided at the front end of the lid, which are releasably engageable with roof-supporting struts. Thus, the lid can be moved to a fully open position without being interfered by the presence of the struts, which allows the rear trunk to be operated and used with increased ease. The seat, including a seating section and a back rest section integrally formed together, has an inclined lower surface that is superposed on an inclined upper surface of a rear cowl. Thus, rearward force applied to the seat when the vehicle starts moving or accelerating is divided to allow the seat to be firmly pressed downward.

Abstract: A three-wheeled automobile comprises a front cowl for enclosing a front portion of the automobile, and a floor forming a passenger step. The front cowl has on lateral sides thereof rear ends positioned above front wheels of the automobile, and a front end surface positioned forwardly of the front wheels. As a result, a large space is provided between a front wall of the front cowl and a seat. A handle post is provided generally centrally of the floor. The floor has roomy foot platforms located around the handle post. As a result, a space left forwardly of the handle post can be used as a feet accommodating area.

Abstract: The position of a hole is measured by image-sensing a holed portion formed in a workpiece and then measuring the central position of the holed portion based on an image of the holed portion on a screen of an image sensing apparatus. A plurality of hole edge points which coincide with a hole edge of the image of the holed portion are picked up. A regression ellipse which represents the image of the holed portion from coordinates of the hole edge points is calculated. The central position of the holed portion is obtained from coordinates of the center of the regression ellipse.

Abstract: An optical cutting image which has a maximum portion in the X-axis direction on the screen of an image sensing device and which extends in the X-axis direction away from the maximum portion so as to expand in the Y-axis direction is measured by means of plural windows to be set on both side portions of the image as seen in the Y-axis direction, equations to represent the image lines of both side portions, and the like. The position of a front end point of the image is measured. A first window which is oblong in the X-axis direction is set such that the front end point is contained therein. A position of the center of gravity of image inside the first window is measured. Second and third windows which are oblong in the Y-axis direction are set at a position which is backwardly away by a predetermined length from the center of gravity of image inside the first window in the X-axis direction to measure the position of the center of gravity of image inside each of the windows.

Abstract: An optical measuring method for measuring a position of an edge portion of a workpiece uses an optical measuring apparatus having a projector for radiating a slit light on the workpiece and an image sensing device for picturing an optical cutting image drawn by the slit light radiated on the workpiece. The measuring is made from a pictured optical cutting image on a screen of the image sensing device. In the method, coordinates of an end point on a side of an edge portion of the pictured optical cutting image are obtained. Windows are set in predetermined two positions in that portion of the pictured optical cutting image which extends straight. Coordinates of respective centers of gravity of the pictured optical cutting image inside both the windows are obtained. An equation of a first straight line which passes through both the centers of gravity and an equation of a second straight line which crosses the first straight line at right angles and which passes through the end point are obtained.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus for use in this method has a projector for radiating a slit light on a workpiece and an image sensing device for picturing an optically cross-sectional image drawn by the slit light radiated on the workpiece. An optical axis of the slit light and an optical axis of the image sensing device cross each other at an oblique angle. Setting windows are set at predetermined positions of the optically cross-sectional image on a screen of the image sensing device. A position of center of gravity of each optically cross-sectional image in each of the windows is measured. An amount of displacement in an X-axis direction of the optically cross-sectional image on the screen is measured. A rate of magnification of the optically cross-sectional image in a Y-axis direction is calculated from the amount of displacement. Setting positions of the windows in the Y-axis direction and sizes thereof in the Y-axis direction are changed depending on the rate of magnification.

Abstract: Vehicle body of a two-wheeled vehicle assembled by holding a plurality of center members on a center jig which may be movable between a setting station and a coupling station, setting side frame members on a pair of side frame jigs in a prostrate posture at a position laterally adjacent the coupling station with the side frame jigs being a jig frame formed of frame materials with spaces therebetween, welding the side frame members together by welding robots adjacent the coupling station, erecting the side jigs to position the welded side frames in position with respect to the center members on the center jig, and welding the side frames to the center members using the same welding robots extending through the spaces in the jig frame of the side frame jigs.