METHOD FOR DETECTING MISPOSITIONED PARTS

• US 3,622,396 A
• Filed: 02/19/1970
• Issued: 11/23/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Angelo Fernandez, Robert G. Mckelvey
• Original Assignee: Angelo Fernandez, Robert G. Mckelvey
• Inventors: Fernandez, Angelo, McKelvey, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, Donald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/012,703
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 136/175,176,182 250/215,219DR,222
• US Class Current: 29/623.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/505 Cells combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4978 Assisting assembly or disassembly

Abstract

A method for detecting mispositioned parts in assemblies of parts wherein the orientation of one of the parts of an assembly of parts is to be controlled relative to at least one other part in the assembly of parts. The method includes applying a lightreflective-marking pigment to a part whose orientation is to be controlled. The marking pigment is applied to the part at a time when its orientation is known and prior to its assembly with at least one other part of the assembly of parts. An examination of assembled parts is made by a light-sensing device, and by the response of the light-sensing device to the presence or absence of light reflected from the marking pigment, mispositioned parts in the assembly of parts are detected. In particular, the method disclosed is applicable to checking the orientation of storage battery cell elements in their containers.

Claims

2. after placing each of the cell elements of the battery in the container, orienting the container to a predetermined position,

3. positioning the thus-formed assembly of parts in a predetermined position with respect to the other part of the assembly.

4. sensing by a spectrally responsive means the light reflected from a selected portion of the first cell element,

5. sensing the light reflected from the assembly, and

6. sensing by the spectrally responsive means the light reflected from a selected portion of the second cell element,

7. In the manufacture of storage batteries comprising a container having multiple cell compartments therein and a cell element having a predetermined polarity located in each of said compartments, a method for detecting mispositioned cell elements in the battery container comprising the steps of:

8. detecting the occurrence of misplaced cell elements in the battery container by the response of the spectrally responsive means.

9. A method as defined in claim 7 in which the pigment is essentially nonreflective.

10. In the manufacture of lead acid storage batteries comprising a container having multiple cell compartments therein and a cell element having a predetermined polarity located in each of said compartments a method for detecting mispositioned cell elements in the battery comprising the steps of:

11. A method as defined in claim 10 in which the identified portion of the cell element is one of the two straps.

12. A method as defined in claim 11 in which the pigment is fluorescent and the light means a source of ultraviolet light.