Weld nut part detector for welding applications

• US 20070164077A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Fabco Corporation (Martinrea International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Fabco Corporation (Martinrea International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Powell, Ronnie, Pulido, Rosendo
• Application Number:
  US11/359,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20070164077A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 228/10
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/0046 the extremity of a small piece being welded to a base, e.g. cooling studs or fins to tubes or plates
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/0053 Stud welding, i.e. resistive with an arc B23K9/20
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/0073 Butt welding of long articles advanced axially
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/20 Stud welding
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1687 Assembly, peg and hole, palletising, straight line, weaving pattern movement
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40032 Peg and hole insertion, mating and joining, remote center compliance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45104 Lasrobot, welding robot
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49113 Align elements like hole and drill, centering tool, probe, workpiece

Abstract

A sensor assembly includes a pin housing and a fiber optic sensor. The pin housing receives an end of the fiber optic sensor. The fiber optic sensor has a side-view probe type sensing end which permits right angle sensing. The pin housing includes a side hole that corresponds to a side opening of the sensor allowing light to pass therethrough.

Claims

7-1. The welding assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hole extends orthogonally relative to the bore.

8. A pin housing for a fiber optic sensor having a side opening formed in a side thereof, said pin housing comprising:

a cylindrical body having a bore formed at one end for receiving the fiber optic sensor therethrough and a tip defined at an opposite end;

a side hole extending between an outer surface of the body and the bore, the side hole being substantially aligned with the side opening of the fiber optic sensor when the fiber optic sensor is inserted through the bore of the body.

9. The pin housing as set forth in claim 8 including a threaded bore for receiving a set screw therethrough for retaining the fiber optic sensor within the bore.

10. The pin housing as set forth in claim 8 including a flat surface formed along a portion of the outer surface of the body.

11. The pin housing as set forth in claim 10, wherein the hole extends between the flat surface and the bore.

12. The pin housing as set forth in claim 11, wherein the bore is generally oval shaped.

13. The pin housing as set forth in claim 11 including an abutment extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body for axially locating the tip as the tip is inserted into a hole of a receiving part.

14. The pin housing as set forth in claim 11 including an intermediate collar extending radially outwardly from the body for axially locating the tip as the tip is inserted into a hole of a receiving part.

15. A method of welding together a first part and a second part, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning the first part onto a locating pin of a welding fixture;

positioning the second part onto the locating pin;

emitting a light signal through a side opening of the locating pin and onto the second part;

sensing a reflected light signal from the second part through the side opening of the locating pin; and

welding the first and second parts together with a welding device automatically in response to sensing the reflected light signal.