Reconfigurable fixture device and method for controlling

• US 7,891,075 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Henry, Christopher P., Sears, Ivan G., Linn, Douglas M., Skurkis, Richard J., Mankame, Nilesh D., Browne, Alan L., Wells, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant; David P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Taousakis; Alexander P
• Application Number:
  US11/335,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20060156785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: 294/05, 294/211, 294/47, 295/59, 723/421, 723/423, 723/424, 723/427, 148/402, 148/563, 249/134, 249/135, 264/219, 264/337, 269/310
• US Class Current: 29/559
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/086 using a solidifying liquid, e.g. with freezing, setting or hardening means
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/163 Jaws or jaw attachments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4976 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49805 Shaping by direct application of fluent pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53991 Work gripper, anvil, or element

Abstract

A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a reconfigurable fixture device, comprising

receiving a status signal from a sensor to a controller, wherein the sensor is in operable communication with at least one of a base member, and a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece;

receiving an operation signal from a user;

generating a command signal responsive to the status signal and/or the operation signal; and

controlling, via the command signal, at least one of an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material and an actuator in operable communication with the base member to selectively conform the shape memory material of the reconfigurable pad to the surface contour of the workpiece and provide a fixture device for the workpiece.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the status signal is indicative of at least one of the following:

a temperature associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece;

a temperature associated with an environment of the fixture device;

a position of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, and the workpiece;

a location of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, and the workpiece;

a force applied to the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece;

or

a status of the reconfigurable pad.

3. A method for controlling a reconfigurable fixture device, comprising:

receiving a status signal from a sensor to a controller, wherein the sensor is in operable communication with at least one of a base member, and a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a first surface contour of a workpiece;

receiving an operation signal from a user;

generating a command signal responsive to the status signal and/or the operation signal;

controlling, via the command signal, at least one of an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material or an actuator in operable communication with the base member; and

receiving a secondary status signal from a secondary sensor, wherein the secondary sensor is in operable communication with an opposing pad, wherein the opposing pad and the reconfigurable pad are configured to fixture the workpiece therebetween; and

wherein the command signal is generated responsive to the status signal, the operation signal or the secondary status signal, or a combination thereof, and is transmitted to at least one of the activation device, the actuator, or a secondary actuator in operable communication with the opposing pad to selectively conform the shape memory material of the reconfigurable pad to the first surface contour of the workpiece and provide a fixture device for the workpiece comprising the reconfigurable pad and the opposing pad.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the opposing pad comprises a reconfigurable shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a second surface contour of the workpiece and wherein the command signal is transmitted to a secondary activation device in operative communication with the opposing pad shape memory material to selectively conform the shape memory material of the opposing pad to the second surface contour of the workpiece.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the secondary status signal is indicative of at least one of the following:

a temperature of the opposing pad;

a position of the opposing pad;

or

a status of the opposing pad.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the command signal is indicative of at least one of a desired change in a temperature, a position of the reconfigurable pad, a position of the opposing pad, a force setting between the reconfigurable pad and workpiece, an error flag, or whether the opposing pad and reconfigurable pad are in an open position or a closed position.