Moving stop station for robotic assembly
First Claim
1. A moving stop station comprising:
- a vehicle carrier configured to move a vehicle along an assembly line in a substantially constant direction;
an assembly platform disposed adjacent to the assembly line, the assembly platform being movably translatable in a direction substantially parallel to the assembly line; and
a synchronizer in communication with the vehicle carrier and with the assembly platform, the synchronizer configured to synchronize the motion of the assembly platform with the motion of the vehicle carrier as the vehicle carrier moves along a length of the assembly line, the synchronizer including;
a sensor configured to sense the position of the vehicle carrier and to generate a position signal corresponding to the sensed position;
a processor configured to receive the position signal and to selectively provide a synchronization signal in response to the position signal; and
an actuator configured to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize the movement of the vehicle carrier with the movement of the assembly platform in response thereto, wherein the synchronization results in substantially no relative motion between the vehicle carrier and the assembly platform.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A moving stop station includes a vehicle carrier configured to move a vehicle along an assembly line, an assembly platform disposed adjacent to the assembly line, and a synchronizer in communication with the vehicle carrier and the assembly platform. The synchronizer is configured to synchronize the motion of the assembly platform with the motion of the vehicle carrier as the vehicle carrier moves along a length of the assembly line, and includes a sensor, processor, and actuator. The sensor is configured to sense the position of the vehicle carrier and to generate a position signal corresponding to the sensed position. The processor is configured to receive the position signal and selectively provide a synchronization signal in response, and the actuator is configured to receive the synchronization signal and synchronize the motion of the vehicle carrier and the motion of the assembly platform in response.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A moving stop station comprising:
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a vehicle carrier configured to move a vehicle along an assembly line in a substantially constant direction; an assembly platform disposed adjacent to the assembly line, the assembly platform being movably translatable in a direction substantially parallel to the assembly line; and a synchronizer in communication with the vehicle carrier and with the assembly platform, the synchronizer configured to synchronize the motion of the assembly platform with the motion of the vehicle carrier as the vehicle carrier moves along a length of the assembly line, the synchronizer including; a sensor configured to sense the position of the vehicle carrier and to generate a position signal corresponding to the sensed position; a processor configured to receive the position signal and to selectively provide a synchronization signal in response to the position signal; and an actuator configured to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize the movement of the vehicle carrier with the movement of the assembly platform in response thereto, wherein the synchronization results in substantially no relative motion between the vehicle carrier and the assembly platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A moving stop station comprising:
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a vehicle carrier configured to move a vehicle along an assembly line in a substantially constant direction; an assembly platform disposed adjacent to the assembly line, the assembly platform being movably translatable in a direction substantially parallel to the assembly line; and a synchronizer in communication with the vehicle carrier and with the assembly platform, the synchronizer configured to synchronize the motion of the assembly platform with the motion of the vehicle carrier as the vehicle carrier moves along a length of the assembly line, the synchronizer including; a sensor configured to sense the position of the vehicle carrier and to generate a position signal corresponding to the sensed position; a processor configured to receive the position signal and to selectively provide a synchronization signal in response to the position signal; and an actuator including a drive mechanism coupled to the assembly platform and configured to translate the assembly platform along the assembly line, the drive mechanism configured to receive the synchronization signal and to synchronize the motion of the vehicle carrier and the motion of the assembly platform in response thereto, wherein the synchronization results in substantially no relative motion between the vehicle carrier and the assembly platform. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification