Assembly system for monitoring proper fastening of an article of assembly at more than one location
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
- a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location; and
an electronic controller in communication with the target sensor utilizing said target output to check a quality characteristic of manual fastening operations facilitated by the fastening tool at the plurality of fastening locations, wherein the fastening tool moves independent of the electronic controller and is not controllably positioned thereby.
5 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location; and
an electronic controller in communication with the target sensor utilizing said target output to check a quality characteristic of manual fastening operations facilitated by the fastening tool at the plurality of fastening locations, wherein the fastening tool moves independent of the electronic controller and is not controllably positioned thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25)
-
-
13. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location;
wherein the fixture is carried by a conveyor, the fastening tool being movable relative to the conveyor, further comprising an assembly station along the conveyor, the fixture being conveyed on the conveyor to the assembly station where the fixture is intermittently stopped by a stop mechanism for fastening by the fastening tool, further comprising an electronic controller in communication with the target sensor, the electronic controller monitoring the location of the fastening tool to ensure proper fastening of fasteners at the fastening locations; and
wherein the electronic controller controls the stop mechanism, the electronic controller maintaining the fixture at the assembly station and not releasing the fixture for movement on the conveyor out of the assembly station until the fastening tool has properly fastened fasteners into the article of assembly at the fastening locations.
-
-
14. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location;
an electronic controller in communication with the target sensor, the electronic controller monitoring the location of the fastening tool to ensure proper fastening of fasteners at the fastening locations;
wherein the fixture is carried by a conveyor, the fastening tool being movable relative to the conveyor, further comprising an assembly station along the conveyor, the fixture being conveyed on the conveyor to the assembly station where the fixture is intermittently stopped by a stop mechanism for fastening by the fastening tool; and
wherein the fasteners are threaded fasteners, the fastening tool having a torque monitor, the torque monitor providing an indication to the electronic controller of torque applied to the fasteners, the electronic controller having predetermined torque values for at least one of the fastening locations, the electronic controller determining the location of the fastening tool that corresponds to the indication of torque and providing an output indicating whether the predetermined torque values for at least one of the fastening locations have been reached. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
-
16. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location;
an electronic controller in communication with the target sensor, the electronic controller monitoring the location of the fastening tool to ensure proper fastening of fasteners at the fastening locations; and
wherein the fastening tool comprises a fastening monitor indicating a fastening operation, wherein the electronic controller has a predetermined sequence program requiring a predetermined sequence of fastening among the fastening locations, the electronic controller-monitoring the sequence of fastening based upon the target output, the electronic controller providing an output indicating whether the predetermined sequence has been achieved. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
-
18. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location;
where in the fixture is carried by a conveyor, the fastening tool being movable relative to the conveyor, and further comprising an assembly station along the conveyor, the conveyor transporting the fixtures through the assembly station substantially without stopping on a continuous basis; and
wherein the assembly station has an input location receiving fixtures from an upstream station and an output location delivering fixtures to a downstream station, the fastening tool being movable horizontally along the conveyor between the input location and the output location, further comprising a fixture sensor in communication with fixtures passing through the assembly station, the fixture sensor having a fixture position output indicating when fixtures have exited the assembly station through the output location, an electronic controller in communication with the fixture sensor, the electronic controller outputting an alarm signal when one of the fixtures has exited the assembly station without proper fastening of fasteners at the fastening locations. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
-
21. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location; and
wherein the fasteners are threaded fasteners, the fastening tool having a torque monitor, the torque monitor providing an indication to an electronic controller of torque applied to the fasteners, the electronic controller having predetermined torque values for at least one of the fastening locations, the electronic controller determining the location of the fastening tool that corresponds to the indication of torque and providing an output indicating whether the predetermined torque values for at least one of the fastening locations have been reached.
-
-
22. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristics than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening location; and
wherein the fastening tool plunges along a fastening axis perpendicular to said plane, the laser and laser sensing device remaining stationary during plunging of the fastening tool. - View Dependent Claims (23)
-
-
24. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
-
a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location;
at least one sensor providing a sensor output indicating when the fastening tool is the first and second fastening locations;
an electronic controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the electronic controller monitoring the location of the fastening tool to ensure proper fastening of fasteners at the fastening locations; and
wherein the fastening tool comprises a fastening monitor indicating a fastening operation, wherein the electronic controller has a predetermined sequence program requiring a predetermined sequence of fastening among the fastening locations, the electronic controller monitoring the sequence of fastening based upon the sensor output, the electronic controller providing an output indicating whether the predetermined sequence has been achieved.
-
Specification