Tooling system with electronic signal maintenance

• US 9,114,537 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apex Brands Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apex Brands Inc.
• Inventors: Wise, David, Rola, Martin Douglas, Kogel, Manfred, Wohlfarth, Klaus, Wiedenhfer, Peter, Kaminski, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US14/068,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20150120041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/247, 744/900.2, 744/900.1, 744/900.7, 744/901.1, 483/14, 483/58, 483/15, 297/05, 318/568.11, 318/568.2, 900/30, 900/41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0019 End effectors other than grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0052 multiple gripper units or multiple end effectors
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/04 with provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0025 Means for supplying energy to the end effector
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/005 using batteries, e.g. as a back-up power source
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/0095 Means or methods for testing manipulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/23 Electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/25 Gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/41 Tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20311 including power cable or connector

Abstract

Devices and methods for providing power to tools when the tools are not attached to a robotic device. The power source may be an energy storage device that is attached to a tool frame of a tool cluster. The power provides for the tools to be maintained in a ready state which expedites and/or eliminates the initiation process when the tools and the tool cluster are subsequently reattached to the robotic device. This reduces the time necessary for the tools to be used in the assembly process thereby increasing the efficiency of the tooling system.

Claims

1. A method providing power to one or more tools during a manufacturing process, the method comprising:

attaching a tool cluster to a robotic device and providing power through the robotic device to each of a plurality of tools on the tool cluster;

performing operations with the tools while the tool cluster is attached to and powered through the robotic device;

performing a functional test on the tools of the tool cluster while the tool cluster is attached to the robotic device and after performing the operations, the functional test determining whether the tool is operating according to predetermined criteria;

detaching the tool cluster from the robotic device;

providing power to the tools through an alternate power source separate from the robotic device while the tool cluster is detached from the robotic device, the power source providing a lesser amount of voltage to the tools than the robotic device, the lesser amount of voltage being adequate to maintain the tools in a functional ready state;

reattaching the tool cluster to the robotic device and again providing power to the tools through the robotic device; and

performing operations with the tools without again performing the functional test on the tools.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising recharging the alternate power source through the robotic device while the tool cluster is attached to the robotic device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a functional test on the tools of the tool cluster while the tool cluster is detached from the robotic device, the functional test determining whether the tool is operating according to the predetermined criteria.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a signal to detach the tool cluster from the robotic device prior to performing the functional test on the tools.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a processor in each of the tools active when the tool cluster is detached from the robotic device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a tool verification and a signal verification procedure upon reattaching the tool cluster to the robotic device, each of the tool verification and the signal verification taking less time to complete than the functional test.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the functional test on each of the tools while the robotic device is moving the tool cluster towards a docking station.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate power source is a plurality of separate devices that each supply power to one or more of the tools.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing power from the robotic device to a single one of the plurality of tools, and providing power to a remainder of the plurality of tools in a daisy-chain manner.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving at least one of the tools from a working position to a retracted position in closer proximity to the robotic device while the tools are receiving power through the robotic device and prior to detaching the tool cluster from the robotic device.

11. A method of providing power to one or more tools during a manufacturing process, the method comprising:

receiving power at a tool from the robotic device while the tool is attached to the robotic device;

performing an operation with the tool while the tool is being powered through the robotic device;

receiving a signal indicating a detachment and determining that the tool is in an operational condition;

detaching the tool from the robotic device and receiving power at the tool from an alternate power source, the amount of power received from the alternate power source being less than through the robotic device;

reattaching the tool to the robotic device with the tool again receiving power through the robotic device; and

performing operations with the tool while reattached to the robotic device without determining that the tool is in the operational condition.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing a functional test on the tool while the tool cluster is detached from the robotic device, the functional test determining whether the tool is operating according to a predetermined criteria.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising moving the tool from a working position to a retracted position in closer proximity to the robotic device after receiving the signal indicating the detachment, while the tool is receiving power through the robotic device, and prior to detaching the tool from the robotic device.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising recharging the alternate power source through the robotic device while the tool is attached to the robotic device.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining a processor in the tool active when the tool is detached from the robotic device.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing a tool verification and a signal verification procedure upon reattaching the tool to the robotic device.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising performing the functional test on the tool while the robotic device is moving the tool towards a docking station.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the tool is mounted on a tool cluster, with the tool cluster being configured to be attached and detached to the robotic device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising supplying power to a second tool on the tool cluster through the robotic device when the tool cluster is attached to the robotic device and through the alternate power source when the tool cluster is detached from the power source.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the alternate power source is a plurality of separate devices that each supply power to one or both of the tools.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving communications from the robotic device when the tool is attached to the robotic device.

22. A tooling system comprising:

a frame configured to be removably attachable to a robotic device;

a plurality of tools mounted to the frame and configured to perform an operation on a work piece, the tools each including a processor;

each of the tools configured to receive a first amount of power from a first power source when the frame is attached to a robotic device, the first power source providing power for the tools to perform operations on a first work piece, and to receive a lesser second amount of power from a second power source when the frame is detached from the robotic device;

the processors configured to perform a functional test on the tool after the operation on the work piece is complete and while receiving the first amount of power from the first power source, the functional test determining that the tool is operating according to a predetermined criteria;

the processors configured to remain active and maintain the functional test while receiving the second lesser amount of power from the second power source;

the processors configured to perform the operation on a second work piece without performing the functional test on the tool when again receiving the first amount of power from the first power source.

23. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein the processors are configured to perform a test on the tool while receiving the second lesser amount of power from the second power source with the test determining whether the tool is operating according to a predetermined criteria.

24. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of tools are connected together in a daisy-chain manner with a first one of the plurality of tools configured to receive power from the first power source when the frame is attached to the robotic device and receive the second amount of power from the second power source when the frame is detached from the robotic device and a remainder of the plurality of tools connected together in the daisy-chain manner to receive the power.

25. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein the tools further include a motor with the processor configured to position the motor at a predetermined setting during the functional test.

26. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein the frame includes a first connector to receive power from the first power source and a second connector to receive communications from an outside source.

27. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein the second power source is a battery mounted to the frame and operatively connected to each of the tools to provide the second amount of power to each of the tools.

28. The tooling system of claim 22, wherein each of the tools is identical.

29. The tooling system of claim 28, wherein each of the tools is a spindle for tightening objects on the first and second work pieces.