Reconfigurable interface assembly, adaptable assembly line work-piece processor, and method

• US 9,700,976 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Ransom, Lance T., Janis, Richard C., Smith, Rodney L., Gao, Dalong
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Application Number:
  US14/087,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20140230230A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/621 a single sliding pair followed perpendicularly by a single sliding pair
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/062 adapted for holding workpieces having a special form or being made from a special material
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/103 Constructional elements used for constructing work holders
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/006 Supporting devices for clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/062 with clamping means pivoting around an axis parallel to the pressing direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53974 having means to permit support movement while work is thereon

Abstract

A reconfigurable interface assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first sub-assembly that is adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter. The first sub-assembly includes a first brake. The reconfigurable interface assembly further includes a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator. The second sub-assembly includes a second brake. The first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the first sub-assembly.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable interface assembly for use in a manufacturing environment, the reconfigurable interface assembly comprising:

a first sub-assembly adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter, the first sub-assembly including a first brake; and

a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly, the second sub-assembly being adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator, the second sub-assembly including a second brake;

wherein the first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly,

wherein the second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly, and

wherein the first brake comprises a first pneumatic brake and wherein the second brake comprises a second pneumatic brake.

2. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first motor configured to move the second sub-assembly in the first direction and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second motor configured to move the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

3. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 2, wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first screw-drive mechanism configured to move the second sub-assembly in the first direction and the first motor is configured to actuate the first screw-drive mechanism, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second screw-drive mechanism configured to move the first sub-assembly in the second direction and the second motor is configured to actuate the second screw-drive mechanism.

4. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first rail configured to guide movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second rail configured to guide movement of the work-piece manipulator in the second direction.

5. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 4 wherein the first brake is configured to engage the first rail to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly, and wherein the second brake is configured to engage the second rail to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly.

6. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first rail and a second rail aligned substantially parallel to the first rail, the first rail and the second rail cooperating to guide movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a third rail and a fourth rail aligned substantially parallel to the third rail, the third rail and the fourth rail cooperating to guide movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

7. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sub-assembly is configured to cause linear translation of the second sub-assembly in the first direction and wherein the second sub-assembly is configured to cause linear translation of the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

8. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially transverse to one another.