Apparatus for assembling components on a target object utilizing a slider for movement of a pallet

• US 7,946,030 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2005
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hirata Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hirata Corporation
• Inventors: Tanaka, Toshiharu, Taniguchi, Yoshitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): TRINH, MINH N
• Application Number:
  US11/990,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20090300904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 297/29, 297/39, 297/01, 294/070.4, 29784-789, 29705-711, 29719-722, 414/737, 414/752.1, 901/15, 198/465.2
• US Class Current: 29/784
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/004 the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5196 Multiple station with conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53091 for work-holder for assembly or disassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5313 Means to assemble electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5337 including assembly pallet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53383 and means to fasten work parts together

Abstract

An assembly-target-object-and-assembly-component carrier pallet carries thereon a target object (semi-finished product) 2 and a plurality of assembly components arranged, as viewed in plane, on a straight line which passes through a predetermined attachment position on the target object where the predetermined assembly component is to be attached. This allows a minimum of moving parts in the attaching device which attaches the assembly components to the assembly target object. Therefore, the structure of an assembling apparatus is simplified and mechanical errors and assembly time are reduced, thereby improving assembling accuracy.

Claims

1. An assembling apparatus for attaching a plurality of predetermined assembly components to an assembly target object at predetermined attachment positions, the assembling apparatus comprising:

a slider driven in a predetermined conveying direction;

a pallet which is provided on the slider and on which the assembly target object and the plurality of assembly components are arranged such that each of the assembly components and its corresponding attachment position are located on a straight line parallel to the predetermined conveying direction;

at least one assembling means having an arm which is vertically movable, the assembling means unloading the predetermined assembly components from the pallet and attaching the predetermined assembly components to the predetermined attachment positions on the assembly target object; and

a control apparatus for controlling the drive of the slider in the predetermined conveying direction,

wherein the pallet is conveyed and positioned at predetermined positions in the predetermined conveying direction by the slider and the control apparatus.

2. The assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pallet is composed of a single pallet;

and both the assembly target object and the plurality of assembly components are placed on the single pallet.

3. The assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pallet is composed of two separated subpallets;

and the assembly target object is placed on one subpallet, and the plurality of assembly components are placed on the other subpallet.

4. The assembling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an assembling-means-moving mechanism for freely moving the arm along the predetermined conveying direction, wherein the assembling-means-moving mechanism is configured such that, when the pallet is stopped, the assembling-means-moving mechanism moves the arm from a position where the arm unloads one of the predetermined assembly components from the pallet and raises the unloaded assembly component to a position where the arm lowers the unloaded, raised assembly component and attaches the assembly component to the corresponding attachment position on the assembly target object.