Citation
(2007), "Patent abstracts", Assembly Automation, Vol. 27 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2007.03327cad.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Patent abstracts
Title: Method and apparatus for evaluating a component pick action in an electronics assembly machineApplicant: Case Steven K (US); Konicek John P (US); Duquette David W (US); Rudd Eric P (US); Manickam Swaminathan (US)Patent number: US2007003126Publication date: 4 January 2007
An electronics assembly apparatus with improved pick evaluation is provided. The apparatus includes a placement head having at least one nozzle for releasably picking up and holding a component. A robotic system is provided for generating relative movement between the placement head and a workpiece, such as a circuit board. An image acquisition system is disposed to obtain at least one before-pick image of a component pick up location and at least one after- pick image of the component pick up location. The before-pick image contains a plurality of image portions, having each image portion view the pick-up location from a different point of view, while the after-pick image contains a plurality of image portions, having each image portion view the pick-up location from a different point of view.
Title: Robotic lift arm with retractable lifting pin and position sensor for, e.g. automotive assembly lineApplicant: Daimler Chrysler AG (DE)Patent number: DE102005009180Publication date: 7 September 2006
An industrial robot used, e.g. in automotive assembly has a lifting arm terminating in a retractable pick-up pin. The pin assembly has a sensor (12) projecting beyond the maximum point of pin extension. If the sensor makes contact with an object, the assembly stops pin extension and further operation before the pin comes into contact with the component about to be manipulated.
Title: Latch mechanism for automotive seat assemblyApplicant: Toyo Seat USA Corp. (US); Willing James E (US); Dryburgh John K (US)Patent number: WO2007044553Publication date: 19 April 2007
The present invention discloses a latch mechanism for an automotive application, such as securing a seat assembly to a vehicle floor. A bracket is provided with a first link pivotally connected thereto. A second link is pivotally connected to the first link; and a third link is pivotally connected to the bracket and the second link. One of the links is provided with a hook, and selective actuation of one of the links drives the hook from a closed to an open orientation for latching the bracket to a striker. A release link is also provided for driving the linkage to a released orientation and for locking the linkage in the closed orientation.
Title: Automotive vehicle framing systemApplicant: Valiant Corp. (CA)Patent number: US2006236518Publication date: 26 October 2006
A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other. After each robot positions each associated tool arm with the docking station, the robot disengages from the tool arm and then welds the body components together by a welding gun carried by the robots.
Title: A cell for automated assembly of components and/or execution of operations on a piece on an industrial production line, and a manipulator robot used in said cellApplicant: Comau SPA (IT)Patent number: EP1747856Publication date: 31 January 2007
An assembly cell, for assembly of components and/or execution of operations on a piece on an industrial production line envisages a manipulator robot for transferring the pieces between a conveying line and a workstation in the cell. The robot includes a first manipulator and a second manipulator integrated with one another, with a fixed supporting structure in common, which have two systems of articulated arms that are movable independently of one another in order to move a worktable between a position adjacent to the conveying line and a position adjacent to the workstation, as well as in order to move, in a way independent of the movement of the worktable, the piece itself between the position where it is resting on the worktable and the workstation in the automated assembly cell.
Title: Production management systemApplicant: Honda Motor Co. LtdPatent number: JP2006293445Publication date: 26 October 2006
Problem to be solved: to provide a production management system that dispenses with a complementary process allowing for complementary work in case of robot trouble and can improve the workability of robot repair work.
Solution: the production management system for a production line in which a robot work process and a manual work process are mixed comprises a monitor for displaying the cause of an abnormality in the robot work process, an alarm device for reporting the abnormality in the robot work process, and a robot inversion device for inverting the orientation of a robot upon the abnormality in the robot. The failed robot work process is switched to a manual work process for continued production. The robot inverted with the robot inversion device can be repaired.