Integrated safety and motion control testing device

• US 9,322,736 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2013
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zaxis Inc.
• Original Assignee: Zaxis Inc.
• Inventors: Peeler, Scott C., Guest, Brian W., Jensen, Christopher H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Macchiarolo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huls, Natalie
• Application Number:
  US13/951,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20140033798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/02 by using fluid or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

In accordance with some implementations of the described invention, a testing device is provided which includes a safety shield having one or more motion control cam tracks, wherein the cam tracks are configured to receive a cam follower that is connected to a mounting member onto which is mounted one or more testing modules. The testing modules perform specific functions for testing a sample product. The mounting member is moved within the safety shield as the cam follower tracks within the motion control cam tracks. In such implementations, the mounting member is further connected to two or more hydraulic cylinders or other actuators which are configured to move the mounting member to various positions within an x-axis and a y-axis. The integrated safety and motion control features of the safety shield provide precise, repeatable movement of the mounting member while preventing injuring to a user. Other implementations are also described.

Claims

1. A testing device, comprising:

a base;

a sample adapter coupled to the base;

a mounting member coupled to a first actuator, the first actuator being mounted to a second actuator, the second actuator being fixedly coupled to the base;

a first testing module coupled to the mounting member at a first position;

a second testing module coupled to the mounting member at a second position;

a first cam follower coupled to the mounting member;

a second cam follower coupled to the first actuator;

a safety shield coupled to the base, the shield having a first motion control cam track configured to receive the first cam follower, and further comprising a second motion control cam track configured to receive the second cam follower, wherein the first motion control cam track controls a motion of the first cam follower in a first plane and a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and wherein the second motion control cam track controls a motion of the second cam follower in the second plane.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is configured to move the mounting member in the first plane, and the second actuator is configured to move the first actuator in the second plane, such that the mounting member moves in the second plane along with the first actuator.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a stanchion having a first end coupled to the base and a second end coupled to a shelf, wherein the second actuator is fixedly coupled to the shelf.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second motion control cam tracks comprise a channel formed in an inner surface of the safety shield.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first motion control cam track comprises a c-shaped track.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the c-shape comprises an upper horizontal channel interconnected to a lower horizontal channel via a vertical channel.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a distance between the upper horizontal channel and the lower horizontal channel is approximately equal to a distance between a testing portion of the first testing module and a testing portion of the second testing module.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein when the first cam follower is positioned in the vertical channel and a sample product is secured in the sample adapter, the first and second testing modules are separated from the sample product, and when the first cam follower is positioned in the first or second horizontal channels and the sample product is secured in the sample adapter, the first or second testing modules contact a portion of the sample product.

9. The device of claim 1, further including a computer software program comprising computer executable instructions for:

actuating the first and second actuators to initiate contact between a portion of a sample product in the sample adapter and the first testing module;

executing a first testing function;

actuating the first and second actuators to initiate contact between the sample product and the second testing module;

executing a second testing function; and

reporting information from at least one of the first and second testing modules.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the computer executable instructions further comprise a step for actuating the first and second actuators to reinitiate contact between the portion of the sample product and the first testing module to execute a third testing function.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first testing function is to remove a cap from the sample product, the second testing function is to perform a leak and flow test on the uncapped sample product, and the third testing function is to recap the sample product.