US20210402531A1 - Automated screw driving machine - Google Patents
Automated screw driving machine Download PDFInfo
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- US20210402531A1 US20210402531A1 US17/469,426 US202117469426A US2021402531A1 US 20210402531 A1 US20210402531 A1 US 20210402531A1 US 202117469426 A US202117469426 A US 202117469426A US 2021402531 A1 US2021402531 A1 US 2021402531A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fastener
- fasteners
- transport surface
- screw driving
- driving machine
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/001—Article feeders for assembling machines
- B23P19/002—Article feeders for assembling machines orientating the articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/001—Article feeders for assembling machines
- B23P19/004—Feeding the articles from hoppers to machines or dispensers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/001—Article feeders for assembling machines
- B23P19/006—Holding or positioning the article in front of the applying tool
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/04—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
- B23P19/06—Screw or nut setting or loosening machines
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
- B65G47/04—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
- B65G47/12—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from disorderly-arranged article piles or from loose assemblages of articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/24—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
- B65G47/256—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles removing incorrectly orientated articles
Definitions
- FIG. 37 is a side view similar to that shown in FIG. 36 showing the drop point guard in a first position fully covering the opening.
- hopper 12 feeder assembly 100 , chuck assembly 200 , driver assembly 300 and drop point assembly 400 are shown in a particular orientation and as having a particular size, it should be understood that the automated screw driving machine 10 components may be positioned in any orientation and may have any particular size chosen with the sound judgement of a person of skill in the art. It should also be noted that tubes and hoses that interconnect the screw driving machine are not shown for clarity.
- an adjustment module 312 may be provided.
- the adjustment module 312 may be used to adjust the stroke length of the driver 302 . This may be used, for example, when the particular application requires that no part of the screw driving machine 10 contact the part being assembled.
- the adjustment module 312 may be supported to the support structure 314 .
- the adjustment module may include a rack gear 316 having gear teeth engaged to the gear teeth of a pinion gear 318 (visible in FIG. 34 ) and a channel 326 within which the rack gear 316 may slide linearly.
- a force generating device 320 may be operable to rotate the pinion gear 318 and thereby move the rack gear 316 within the channel 326 .
Abstract
An automated screw driving machine may include a hopper adapted to hold associated fasteners, a chuck assembly adapted to hold an individual fastener in position with respect to an associated component part, a feeder assembly adapted to convey the fasteners from the hopper to the chuck assembly; and, a driver assembly that takes fasteners from the chuck assembly and attaches them to the associated component part.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/233,658, filed on Dec. 27, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/611,614, filed Dec. 29, 2017; the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- This invention generally concerns apparatuses and methods related to automated screw driving machines.
- It is well known in the manufacturing industry to use automated screw driving machines that automatically attach screws or other fasteners to various types of component parts in order to fasten or attach such component parts together. Automated screw driving machines typically include a storage container or hopper which holds fasteners to be used, a clamp or chuck assembly which holds individual fasteners in position with respect to the component part, a feeder assembly that conveys the fasteners from the hopper to the chuck, and a driver assembly that takes the fastener from the chuck and attaches it, typically with both linear and torsional forces, to the component part. While many known automated screw driving machines work adequately for their intended purpose, they are known to have several problems and limitations.
- One problem with known screw driving machines is that fasteners often get stuck or jammed. This problem may occur anywhere throughout the process but is especially common with known feeder assemblies and chuck assemblies. Another common problem is that too many or too few fasteners are delivered to the chuck assembly. While known feeder assemblies use sensors in an effort to detect the presence of fasteners, they are typically unreliable.
- Other known problems are related to chuck assemblies. Often the final stages of fastener placement within the chuck is accomplished using only gravity. This leads to fasteners “falling” into the chuck in a misaligned position. Another known problem comes when a component part requires two or more different sized or shaped fasteners to be used with the same driver assembly. To accommodate the different fasteners, the chuck size and shape is compromised to an in-between or average arrangement. This leads to fasteners being misaligned within the chuck and/or to chucks being incapable of holding some fasteners at all.
- Other known problems are related to driver assemblies. Often during typical manufacturing conditions, driver assemblies are bumped or knocked. These forces can cause the driver assembly to become misaligned with respect to the chuck and/or with respect to the component part. Another known problem occurs when the component part at issue is relatively delicate. In these conditions it may be a requirement that the driver assembly cannot physically contact the component part. This increases the difficulty in properly attaching fasteners to the component part.
- The problems just described, and many similar such problems, lead to manufacturing delays for the machine operator and often to requirements that the screw driving assembly be shut down for maintenance so that the problem can be remedied. Many times these problems also lead to the requirement that the corresponding component part be discarded. Thus, known screw driving machines have problems that lead to production inefficiencies, equipment shut downs, and unfit components. The resultant increases in costs and waste are undesirable.
- What is needed is an automated screw driving machine that overcomes or reduces the problems and limitations described above and that may provide other advantages and benefits as well.
- Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
- Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine according to some aspects of the present teaching. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine according to some aspects of the present teaching. -
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a hopper. -
FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of a hopper. -
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a hopper and feeder assembly. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fastener. -
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a hopper and a feeder assembly. -
FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a hopper filled with fasteners. -
FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a hopper showing fasteners being moved out of the hopper. -
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that shown inFIG. 9 but with the fasteners shown exiting the hopper. -
FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 12 is a back perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 13 is a close-up front view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine showing a fastener transport surface. -
FIG. 14 is a close-up side view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine showing a fastener transport surface. -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a confinement device. -
FIG. 16 is a close-up front view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine showing a movable portion of the fastener transport surface in an upright position. -
FIG. 17 is a view similar to that shown inFIG. 16 but with the movable portion in a retracted position. -
FIG. 18 is a close-up front view showing the movable portion shown inFIG. 16 as being transparent. -
FIG. 19 is a close-up view of a fastener conveyance structure. -
FIG. 20 is a close-up view similar to that shown inFIG. 19 but from a different angle. -
FIG. 21 is a back view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 22 is a view similar to that shown inFIG. 21 but from a different angle. -
FIG. 23 is a close-up front view of a fastener conveyance structure. -
FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a chuck assembly. -
FIG. 26 is a back perspective view of the chuck assembly shown inFIG. 25 . -
FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the chuck assembly shown inFIG. 25 . -
FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a portion of an automated screw driving machine with components removed for clarity. -
FIG. 30 is a close-up view of a driver. -
FIG. 31 is a close-up view of a driver having a vacuum tube. -
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the vacuum tube shown inFIG. 31 . -
FIG. 33 is a side perspective view of an adjustment module. -
FIG. 34 is a view similar to that shown inFIG. 33 but with the pinion gear visible. -
FIG. 35 is a perspective top view of an adjustment module. -
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a drop point guard. -
FIG. 37 is a side view similar to that shown inFIG. 36 showing the drop point guard in a first position fully covering the opening. -
FIG. 38 is a close-up view showing the drop point guard nearing a second position where the opening is nearly fully uncovered with guide extension and tab in a screw engagement position. -
FIG. 39 is a close-up view showing the drop point guard at a second position where the opening is fully uncovered. -
FIG. 40 is a close-up view showing the guard returning to the first position with guide extension and tab in an elevated position. -
FIG. 41 is a close-up view showing the drop point guard in the first position blocking access to the opening. -
FIG. 42 is a front view of the drop point guard. - Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,
FIGS. 1 and 2 show portions of an automatedscrew driving machine 10 according to some aspects of the present teaching. The automatedscrew driving machine 10 may include ahopper 12, afeeder assembly 100, achuck assembly 200, and adriver assembly 300. Adrop point guard 400 may be provided to further assist in preventing misaligned fasteners from reachingchuck assembly 200. The hopper and assemblies will be discussed below. The automatedscrew driving machine 10 may be part of a robotic machine but that is not a requirement for this invention. While thehopper 12,feeder assembly 100,chuck assembly 200,driver assembly 300 and droppoint assembly 400 are shown in a particular orientation and as having a particular size, it should be understood that the automatedscrew driving machine 10 components may be positioned in any orientation and may have any particular size chosen with the sound judgement of a person of skill in the art. It should also be noted that tubes and hoses that interconnect the screw driving machine are not shown for clarity. - With reference now to
FIGS. 1 and 3-5 , thehopper 12 may be supported to a surface, such as a floor, with asupport structure 14 that can be of any type sufficient for the particular circumstances. Thehopper 12 may compriseside walls 16 arranged to support the fasteners being used.FIG. 6 shows ageneric fastener 20 having the well-known features of a fastener, including ahead 22 and ashank 24. Thehead 22 may have adrive 26 that receives a drive bit in a manner well known to those of skill in the art. Theshank 24 may be designed according to the component part and may, for example, comprise threads.FIG. 8 showsfasteners 20 withinhopper 12 according to some aspects of the present teaching. - With reference now to
FIGS. 1-10 , thefeeder assembly 100 may convey the fasteners from thehopper 12 to thechuck assembly 200. Thefeeder assembly 100 may be supported to a surface, such as a floor, withsupport structure 14. Afastener conveyance structure 102 may be used to convey the fasteners out of thehopper 12. According to some aspects of the present teaching, thefastener conveyance structure 102 may include aplate 104 having acontact surface 106. Although the contact surface may be arranged in any manner chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, in the example shown thecontact surface 106 may be positioned generally orthogonally with respect to anadjacent one 18 of theside walls 16 of thehopper 12. Theplate 104 may be substantially parallel toside wall 18, as shown. Theplate 104 may be moveable with respect to theside wall 18. As one example, theplate 104 may move relatively upwards within thehopper 12 so thatfasteners 20 received on thecontact surface 106 can be conveyed from a position relatively lower within the hopper 12 (such as shown inFIGS. 8-9 ) to a position relatively higher and out of the hopper 12 (such as shown inFIG. 10 ) onto atransport surface 108. Theplate 104 may then be moved relatively downwards within thehopper 12 so thatadditional fasteners 20 may be received oncontact surface 106. Aforce generating device 110, seeFIG. 4 , may be used to cause theplate 104 to move to convey thefasteners 20. Although the force generating device may be of any type chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, in the example shown theforce generating device 110 is a pneumatic cylinder. - With reference now to
FIGS. 5-15 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, afastener conveyance structure 112 may be used to convey thefasteners 20 along thetransport surface 108 from location L1, where they are deposited by theconveyance structure 102, to location L2 having anopening 114 for further conveyance. Theconveyance structure 112 may comprise, as one example, one ormore vibrators 116, shown inFIGS. 11-12 , that vibrate thetransport surface 108 causing the fasteners to be conveyed from location L1 toward location L2. Because thefasteners 20 are typically randomly distributed within thehopper 12, it may be desirable to place each fastener into a specific orientation or alignment for conveyance along thetransport surface 108. To accomplish this, afastener orientation structure 118 may be used. Thefastener orientation structure 118 may include agroove 120 formed in thetransport surface 108 that is sized to receivefastener shanks 24 but not fastener heads 22, as shown. Thefastener orientation structure 118 may include aconfinement device 122. Theconfinement device 122 seen best inFIG. 15 , may have an opening or groove 124 that may be positioned directly above thegroove 120. Thegroove 124 may be shaped to permit fastener heads 22 in the proper orientation to pass through along thetransport surface 108 but to preventfasteners 20 in any other orientation from moving any farther along thetransport surface 108. - With reference now to
FIGS. 5-18 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, one or more fastener removal structures may be used to remove misaligned and/orexcess fasteners 20 from thetransport surface 108. The previously describedconfinement device 122 may operate as afastener removal structure 126 in thatmisaligned fasteners 20 will likely contact theconfinement device 122 as they are moved along thetransport surface 108 and thereby be knocked into thehopper 12. According to some aspects of the present teaching, afastener removal structure 126 may include one ormore blowers 128, two shown, that exert an air (or other gas) force across the top of thetransport surface 108.Fasteners 20 that are properly oriented/aligned on the transport surface 108 (shanks 24 properly received within groove 120) will not be affected by ablower 128. However, any misaligned orextra fastener 20 will feel the force from theblower 128 and thus be blown off of thetransport surface 108 back into thehopper 12. - With reference now to
FIGS. 13-14, and 16-18 , according to some aspects of the present teaching, afastener removal structure 130 may include amovable portion 132 of thetransport surface 108 that can be retracted so that anyfasteners 20 positioned on themovable portion 132 are no longer supported and therefore fall back into thehopper 12.FIG. 16 showsmovable portion 132 in its normal upright position andFIG. 17 showsmovable portion 132 in its retracted position.FIG. 18 showsmovable portion 132 as being transparent. As seen best inFIG. 18 , aforce generating device 160 may be used to retractmovable portion 132. While theforce generating device 160 may be of any type and size chosen with the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, theforce generating device 160 shown may be a pneumatic cylinder. Themovable portion 132 may have an opening that receivesrod 134 andmovable portion 132 may move along therod 134 between the upright and retracted positions. While themovable portion 132 may be positioned according to the sound judgment of a person of skill in the art, in the example shown theconfinement device 122 is positioned above themovable portion 132. In this way, anyfasteners 20 that are prevented by theconfinement device 122 from passing further along thetransport surface 108 but do not fall off on their own accord can be removed from thetransport surface 108 and dumped back into thehopper 12 by moving themovable portion 132 into the retracted position. - With reference now to
FIGS. 19-23 , according to some aspects of the present teaching afastener conveyance structure 136 may be used to move thefasteners 20 from theconfinement device 122 to location L2 and theopening 114.Fastener conveyance structure 136 may includetabs confinement device 142. Eachtab extension 154 that can be positioned within thegroove 120. Theconfinement device 142 may have an opening or groove 144, seeFIG. 20 , enablingconfinement device 142 to operate similar to previously describedconfinement device 122.Tab 138 andconfinement device 142 may be supported to the same supportingstructure 146 and separated by a distance D1 as indicated inFIG. 19 . Distance D1 will vary depending on the particular fastener application. Aforce generating device 148, which may be a pneumatic cylinder, may be used to move the supportingstructure 146, and thus thetab 138 andconfinement device 142, vertically.Tab 140 may be supported to supportingstructure 150. Aforce generating device 152, which may be a pneumatic cylinder, may be used to move the supportingstructure 146 and the supporting structure 150 (and thus thetabs structure 162. - With reference now to
FIGS. 11-14 and 16-23 , in operation, whenfastener conveyance structure 136 is not needed, it is positioned vertically above thetransport surface 108 usingforce generating device 148 as shown inFIGS. 19-20 . Whenfastener conveyance structure 136 is needed, it can be lowered toward thetransport surface 108, usingforce generating device 148, until theextension 154 of thetab 138 is positioned withingroove 120.Tab 138 can then be moved horizontally, usingforce generating device 152, toward location L2 withextension 154 oftab 138 guiding anyfasteners 20 positioned in thegroove 120 in that area towardopening 114.Confinement device 142 will prevent anymisaligned fasteners 20 from gaining access toopening 114. At the end of the horizontal movement, thefastener conveyance structure 136 attains the position shown inFIG. 23 . In this position, theconfinement device 142 is positioned in front of opening 114 to provide a final impediment to anymisaligned fasteners 20. Simultaneously,tab 140 is positioned just behind opening 114, with itsextension 154 positioned withingroove 120, to prevent anyfasteners 20 from moving beyondopening 114. In this way, eachfastener 20 that reaches opening 114 is properly oriented/aligned and ready to be conveyed to thechuck assembly 200. Specifically, under air/vacuum pressure eachfastener 20 may pass via a tube or hose connected at inlet 156 (shown inFIG. 22 ) to one of theinlets FIG. 26 on thechuck assembly 200. - With reference now to
FIGS. 2 and 24-27 , according to some aspects of the present teaching thechuck assembly 200 may be supported to supportstructure 202.Support structure 202 may then be supported to a floor or ground surface in any manner chosen with the skill of a person of skill in the art.Chuck assembly 200 may include one or more chucks 204. In the example shown, twochucks driver assembly 300. Each chuck 204 may slide on arail 206 toward and away from intersection with thedriver assembly 300. Aforce generating device 208, which may be a pneumatic cylinder, may be used to move each chuck 204 on therail 206. Each chuck 204 may begin in a load position where afastener 20 is loaded into the chuck 204. Specifically, afastener 20 may arrive throughinlet 210 into stagingmember 212. Air/vacuum control valve 214 may be used to confirm the proper alignment of thefastener 20 within stagingmember 212. When the chuck 204 is in the load position (in alignment with the staging member 212), thefastener 20 may be moved into the chuck'sfastener holding member 216. Air/vacuum control valve 218 may be used to confirm the proper alignment of thefastener 20 within the holdingmember 216. Then, at the appropriate time, the chuck 204 may be moved to the release position (in alignment with driver gap 220) where thefastener 20 is released by the chuck 204 and held by thedriver assembly 300. The driver assembly holding thefastener 20 is shown inFIG. 31 . If two or more chucks 204 are being used, one may be in the load position while the other is in the release position. In this way,fasteners 20 can be quickly and accurately positioned within each chuck 204 and then quickly and accurately positioned with respect to thedriver assembly 300. - With continuing reference to
FIGS. 2 and 24-27 , while thechucks Chuck 204A, for example, may be designed to receive a particular type and/or size of fastener whilechuck 204B may be designed to receive a different type and/or size of fastener. In this way, each chuck 204 can be designed to match the type of fastener it will receive. This also permits the automatedscrew driving machine 10 to apply different fasteners without requiring shutdown of the machine. It is only necessary to replace a specific chuck while one or more other chucks remain in operation. - With reference now to
FIGS. 2, 24 and 28-32 , according to some aspects of the present teaching thedriver assembly 300 may include at least onedriver 302 having abit 304 designed to engage a particular drive 26 (shown inFIG. 6 ) of afastener 20. Adriver motor 306 may be used to apply linear and/or torsional forces to thefastener 20 in order to attach thefastener 20 to the part being assembled. Thedriver 302 and drivemotor 306 may be extended toward and away from the part being assembled along arail 308. A force generating device, which may be a pneumatic cylinder, may be used to move thedriver 302 andmotor 306 along therail 308. Therail 308 may be supported to supportstructure 314. Surrounding thedriver 302 may be avacuum tube 310. Vacuum pressure is used to hold thefastener 20 in place with respect to thedriver 302 andbit 304. Thevacuum tube 310 may be formed of a carbon fiber. - With reference now to
FIGS. 2, 24, 28-29 and 33-35 , according to some aspects of the present teaching anadjustment module 312 may be provided. Theadjustment module 312 may be used to adjust the stroke length of thedriver 302. This may be used, for example, when the particular application requires that no part of thescrew driving machine 10 contact the part being assembled. Theadjustment module 312 may be supported to thesupport structure 314. The adjustment module may include arack gear 316 having gear teeth engaged to the gear teeth of a pinion gear 318 (visible inFIG. 34 ) and achannel 326 within which therack gear 316 may slide linearly. Aforce generating device 320 may be operable to rotate thepinion gear 318 and thereby move therack gear 316 within thechannel 326. Theforce generating device 320 may be an electric motor. Attached to therack gear 316 may be acontact surface 322 and attached to thedriver 302 may be acontact surface 324. In operation, when the contact surfaces 322, 324 contact each other, forward motion of thedriver 302 can be stopped. In this way, the stroke of thedriver 302 along therail 308 is limited by theadjustment module 312. Due to the precise engagement between therack gear 316 andpinion gear 318, the distance D2 between the contact surfaces 322, 324 can be very accurately set, as required by the particular application, such that the fastener is properly attached to the part being assembled without the automated screw driving machine contacting the part. - With reference now to
FIGS. 36-42 , according to some aspects of the present teaching adrop point guard 400 may be provided for use with thefeeder assembly 100. Droppoint guard 400 may comprise anauxiliary channel 405, acover plate 407 and a coverplate assembly arm 412 attached to the cover plate.Auxiliary channel 405 may be positioned ontransport surface 108, around opening 114, to guidecover plate 407 over theopening 114 as described in further detail below.Cover plate 407 may comprise ahorizontal member 409 slidably received in theauxiliary channel 405. Thehorizontal member 409 may be slidable from a first position (as seen inFIG. 37 ), in which thehorizontal member 409 covers opening 114, to a second position in whichhorizontal member 409 does not cover opening 114 (as inFIG. 39 ). As shown inFIGS. 38 and 39 , when afastener 20 is transported behind thehorizontal member 409 ashorizontal member 409 moves from the first position to the second position, thefastener 20 will be transported to the opening in a proper orientation untilfastener 20 entersopening 114. However, as shown inFIG. 41 ,horizontal member 409 prevents fasteners from being dropped onto the feeder assembly over the opening or misfed into theopening 114. - With continuing reference to
FIG. 36 ,horizontal member 409 may be attached to coverplate support arm 412 by any means selected with sound engineering judgment, including, without limitation, a vertical element as shown in the Figures Coverplate assembly arm 412 may be movable to move thehorizontal member 409 from the first position to the second position and back. Movement of the coverplate assembly arm 412 may be achieved by any mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic means selected with sound engineering judgment, and may including a force generating device such as pneumatic force generating device discussed above. - With continuing reference to
FIGS. 36-40 ,drop point guard 400 may operate in cooperation with supportingstructure 146 and one of thetabs fastener 20 to theopening 114 ashorizontal member 409 travels to the second position. As shown inFIG. 38 , afastener 20 may be captured between the back end ofhorizontal member 409 andextension 154 oftab 138, which has been lowered toposition extension 154 intogroove 120. Ashorizontal member 409 moves to the second position,extension 154 oftab 138 may independently or dependently travel behind thehorizontal member 409, moving thefastener 20 to the opening. InFIG. 38 ,fastener 20 is shown just before dropping inopening 114. InFIG. 39 ,fastener 20 has dropped intoopening 114. InFIG. 40 ,tab 138 has been moved vertically to removeextension 154 from thegroove 120 so that the horizontal member andtab 138 can travel back to the first position, wheretab 138 can be lowered again to trap and transport anew fastener 20 toopening 114. - While the automated screw driving machine has been described above in connection with various illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function disclosed herein without deviating therefrom. Further, all embodiments disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various embodiments may be combined or subtracted to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Therefore, the automated screw driving machine should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitations of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An automated screw driving machine, comprising:
a hopper adapted to hold a plurality of fasteners; and
a feeder assembly operably engaged to the hopper, wherein the feeder assembly is adapted to convey the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the hopper to a chuck assembly, and wherein the feeder assembly is configured to be movable to convey at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the feeder assembly to the hopper.
2. The automated screw driving machine of claim 1 , wherein the feeder assembly is configured to convey the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the hopper to a chuck assembly in an upright position.
3. The automated screw driving machine of claim 1 , wherein the feeder assembly is configured to remove the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the feeder assembly to the hopper in a retracted position.
4. The automated screw driving machine of claim 1 , wherein the feeder assembly further comprises:
a first fastener conveyance structure;
a fastener orientation structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure, wherein the fastener orientation structure is configured to orient each fastener of the plurality of fasteners to a predetermined orientation;
a first fastener removal structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure; and
a second fastener removal structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure, wherein the second fastener removal structure is adapted to be movable relative to the first fastener removal structure;
wherein each of the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure is configured to remove the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the feeder assembly.
5. The automated screw driving machine of claim 4 , wherein the fastener orientation structure further comprises:
a transport surface operably engaged with each of the hopper, the first fastener removal structure, and the second fastener removal structure.
6. The automated screw driving machine of claim 5 , where the transport surface further comprises:
a groove defined in the transport surface extending from a first end of the transport surface to an opposing second end of the transport surface; wherein the groove is configured to receive a fastener shank of the at least one fastener of the plurality of fastener for orienting the at least one fastener of the plurality of fastener to the predetermined orientation.
7. The automated screw driving machine of claim 6 , wherein the transport surface further comprises:
an opening defined in the transport surface at the second end of the transport surface; wherein the opening provides fluid communication between the feeder assembly and the chuck assembly.
8. The automated screw driving machine of claim 5 , wherein the first fastener removal structure further comprises:
at least one blower positioned above the transport surface of the feeder assembly, wherein the at least one blower is configured to exert an air force across the transport surface of the feeder assembly for removing the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the transport surface to the hopper.
9. The automated screw driving machine of claim 5 , wherein the second fastener removal structure further comprises:
a movable portion operably engaged with the transport surface of the feeder assembly, wherein the movable portion is configured to be moveable between an upright position and a retracted position for removing the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the transport surface to the hopper.
10. The automated screw driving machine of claim 9 , wherein the second fastener removal structure further comprises:
an opening defined by the movable portion; and
a rod operably engaged with the movable portion inside of the opening, wherein the movable portion is adapted to move along the rod between the upright position and the retracted position when removing the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the transport surface to the hopper.
11. The automated screw driving machine of claim 10 , wherein the moveable portion guides at least one aligned fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the transport surface to the chuck assembly in the upright position.
12. The automated screw driving machine of claim 10 , wherein the moveable portion guides the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the transport surface to the hopper in the retracted position.
13. The automated screw driving machine of claim 7 , wherein the feeder assembly further comprises:
a second fastener conveyance structure operably engaged with the transport surface, wherein the second fastener conveyance structure is configured to convey the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the first fastener conveyance structure towards the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure.
14. The automated screw driving machine of claim 13 , wherein the second fastener conveyance structure further comprises:
at least one vibrator operably engaged with the transport surface, wherein the at least one vibrator is configured to convey the at least one fastener from the plurality of fasteners from the first fastener conveyance structure towards the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure.
15. The automated screw driving machine of claim 13 , wherein the feeder assembly further comprises:
a third fastener conveyance structure operably engaged with the transport surface, wherein the third fastener conveyance structure is configured to convey the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure to the opening defined by the transport surface.
16. The automated screw driving machine of claim 15 , wherein the third fastener conveyance structure further comprises:
a supporting structure; and
at least one tab operably engaged to the supporting structure, wherein the at least one tab and the supporting structure are moveable relative to the transport structure.
17. The automated screw driving machine of claim 16 , wherein the third fastener conveyance structure further comprises:
an extension operably engaged with the at least one tab, wherein the extension is configured to be inserted into a groove of the transport surface, and wherein the extension is configured to guide the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure to the opening defined by the transport surface.
18. The automated screw driving machine of claim 17 , wherein the third fastener conveyance structure further comprises:
a first cylinder operably engaged with the supporting structure and the at least one tab, wherein the cylinder is configured to collectively vertically move the supporting structure and the at least one tab relative to the transport surface.
19. The automated screw driving machine of claim 17 , wherein the third fastener conveyance structure further comprises:
a second cylinder operably engaged with the supporting structure and the at least one tab, wherein the cylinder is configured to collectively horizontally move the supporting structure and the at least one tab relative to the transport surface.
20. An automated screw driving machine, comprising:
a hopper adapted to hold a plurality of fasteners; and
a feeder assembly operably engaged to the hopper, wherein the feeder assembly is adapted to convey the at least one fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the hopper to a chuck assembly, the feeder assembly comprising:
a first fastener conveyance structure;
a fastener orientation structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure, wherein the fastener orientation structure is configured to orient each fastener of the plurality of fasteners to a predetermined orientation;
a first fastener removal structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure; and
a second fastener removal structure operably engaged with the first fastener conveyance structure, wherein the second fastener removal structure is adapted to be movable relative to the first fastener removal structure;
wherein each of the first fastener removal structure and the second fastener removal structure is configured to remove the at least one misaligned or extra fastener of the plurality of fasteners from the feeder assembly.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/469,426 US20210402531A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-09-08 | Automated screw driving machine |
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US201762611614P | 2017-12-29 | 2017-12-29 | |
US16/233,658 US11141821B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2018-12-27 | Automated screw driving machine |
US17/469,426 US20210402531A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-09-08 | Automated screw driving machine |
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US16/233,658 Continuation US11141821B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2018-12-27 | Automated screw driving machine |
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US20210402531A1 true US20210402531A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
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US16/233,658 Active 2039-11-27 US11141821B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2018-12-27 | Automated screw driving machine |
US17/469,492 Abandoned US20210402532A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-09-08 | Automated screw driving machine |
US17/469,426 Abandoned US20210402531A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-09-08 | Automated screw driving machine |
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US16/233,658 Active 2039-11-27 US11141821B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2018-12-27 | Automated screw driving machine |
US17/469,492 Abandoned US20210402532A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-09-08 | Automated screw driving machine |
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CN110394757B (en) * | 2019-08-09 | 2021-04-23 | 张璐 | Nut detacher |
CN214722073U (en) * | 2021-01-22 | 2021-11-16 | 江苏新惕姆智能装备有限公司 | Screw supplying device and screw locking robot |
CN113997063A (en) * | 2021-12-10 | 2022-02-01 | 珠海格力智能装备有限公司 | Screw locking system, and control method and device of screw locking system |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3710922A (en) * | 1971-07-06 | 1973-01-16 | Lipe Rollway Corp | Apparatus for detecting and rejecting improperly oriented objects |
US4319860A (en) * | 1980-02-29 | 1982-03-16 | Black & Decker Inc. | Plunge type router |
AT383299B (en) * | 1982-03-05 | 1987-06-10 | Sticht Fertigungstech Stiwa | DEVICE FOR TURNING IN SCREWS |
US4602537A (en) * | 1985-05-15 | 1986-07-29 | Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc. | Automatic assembly machine |
US5291645A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1994-03-08 | Yoshitaka Aoyama | Method and apparatus for feeding and tightening threaded parts |
US20060185149A1 (en) * | 2005-02-18 | 2006-08-24 | Rodney Erdman | Screw feeder |
US8006362B2 (en) * | 2007-04-06 | 2011-08-30 | The Boeing Company | Method and apparatus for installing fasteners |
DE202008009174U1 (en) * | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-16 | Schmidt, Heiko | supply unit |
JP5513964B2 (en) * | 2010-04-19 | 2014-06-04 | 株式会社大武ルート工業 | Automatic screw tightening device |
JP5537355B2 (en) * | 2010-09-13 | 2014-07-02 | 株式会社大武ルート工業 | Automatic screw tightening device |
US9662754B2 (en) * | 2014-10-01 | 2017-05-30 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Automatic fastener driving system, apparatus and method |
CN105750865B (en) * | 2016-04-22 | 2019-03-01 | 广东金弘达自动化科技股份有限公司 | A kind of screw supplying arrangement conveying device |
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2018
- 2018-12-27 US US16/233,658 patent/US11141821B2/en active Active
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2021
- 2021-09-08 US US17/469,492 patent/US20210402532A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2021-09-08 US US17/469,426 patent/US20210402531A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US11141821B2 (en) | 2021-10-12 |
US20210402532A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
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