Method of manufacturing vehicle body and welding facility

Abstract

A method is disclosed for manufacturing a plurality of vehicle bodies having different vehicle types using the same manufacturing line. In the method, when a frame member assembly and a panel member assembly of the vehicle body are to be joined, the frame member assembly and the panel member assembly are welded on a different welding stage, enabling the welding stage to be changed according to the vehicle type.

1 . A method for welding different types of vehicle body parts and manufacturing a vehicle body on a welding line that is provided with a plurality of welding stages used for different welding tasks, comprising the steps of:
 manufacturing an assembly of frame members of a vehicle body by welding different types of frame members on the welding stage; and   welding on a welding stage that differs according to the type of vehicle to be produced, when an assembly of panel members of a vehicle body is to be joined with the frame member assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1 , wherein the welding stage that differs in relation to the vehicle type has at least two change locations. 
   
   
       3 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1 , wherein the panel member is a floor panel of the vehicle body. 
   
   
       4 . The manufacturing method of  claim 1 , wherein the panel member is a wheel house member of the vehicle body. 
   
   
       5 . A method for manufacturing a vehicle body, in which a sub-welding line for manufacturing an assembly of panel members merges with a main welding line for manufacturing an assembly of frame members; and the panel members are joined with the frame member assembly at a part where merging occurs, the method comprising the steps of:
 welding a different type of frame member in order to manufacture the frame member assembly on the main welding line;   welding a different type of panel member in order to manufacture the panel member assembly on the sub-welding line;   combining the panel member assembly with the frame member assembly on the main welding line at a location where the frame welding step concludes; and   welding the panel member assembly to the frame member assembly.   
   
   
       6 . The manufacturing method of  claim 5 , wherein the panel member comprises a floor panel member of the vehicle body. 
   
   
       7 . The manufacturing method of  claim 5 , wherein the panel member comprises a wheel house member of the vehicle body. 
   
   
       8 . A welding facility comprising:
 a main welding line for manufacturing an assembly of frame members; and   a sub-welding line for manufacturing an assembly of panel members, the sub-welding line merging with the main welding line,   wherein the main welding line is comprised of a plurality of welding stages provided with a welding robot, the sub-welding line is provided at the end with a transfer mechanism for transferring the panel member assembly to the desired welding stage, and the merging parts are changeable according to the type of product to be welded.   
   
   
       9 . The welding facility of  claim 8 , wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a rail established parallel to the main welding line; a truck that moves along the rail; and a transport robot provided on the truck. 
   
   
       10 . The welding facility of  claim 8 , wherein the welding facility is provided with at least two or more sub-welding lines that merge with the main welding line, and that are provided with a transfer mechanism used for transferring a workpiece to a desired stage.