Assembly system for monitoring proper fastening of an article of assembly at more than one location
First Claim
1. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
- a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location; and
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening locations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
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a fixture holding the article of assembly;
a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the fixture, corresponding to the first fastening location, and a second target fixed relative to the fixture, the second target corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
a fastening tool adapted to fasten fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations, the fastening tool having a first position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the first location, and a second position relative to the fixture in which the fastening tool is in position to fasten a fastener at the second location; and
a target sensor fixed relative to the fastening tool along at least one axis, the target sensor sensing the first target when the fastening tool is in the first position, the target sensor sensing the second target when the fastening tool is in the second position, the target sensor providing a target output differentiating between the first and second targets and indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first fastening location and the second fastening locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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19. The assembly system of 18 wherein the fastening tool plunges along a fastening axis perpendicular to said plane, the laser and laser sensing device remaining stationary during plunging of the fastening tool.
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22. An assembly system for assembling articles of assembly, each article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including at least first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
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means for holding the article of assembly in a fixed position;
means for providing a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the article of assembly corresponding to the first fastening location of the article of assembly and a second target fixed relative to the article of assembly corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
means for fastening fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations at first and second positions relative to the article of assembly, respectively; and
means for sensing the first target and second targets when said fastening is occurring at the first and second positions, respectively, and providing an electronic target output based upon said sensing that differentiates between the first and second targets thereby indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first and second fastening locations. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43)
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23. A method for assembling an article of assembly, the article of assembly having a plurality of fastening locations including first and second fastening locations in spaced apart relation, comprising:
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holding the article of assembly in a fixed position;
providing a plurality of targets including at least a first target fixed relative to the article of assembly corresponding to the first fastening location of the article of assembly and a second target fixed relative to the article of assembly corresponding to the second fastening location, the second target having a different characteristic than the first target;
fastening fasteners into the article of assembly at the first and second fastening locations at first and second positions relative to the article of assembly, respectively; and
sensing the first and second targets when said fastening is occurring at the first and second positions, respectively, and generating an electronic target output based upon said sensing that differentiates between the first and second targets thereby indicating when the fastening tool is in either of the first and second fastening locations.
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- 40. The method of 39 wherein the fastening tool plunges along a fastening axis perpendicular to said plane, the laser and laser sensing device remaining stationary during plunging of the fastening tool.
Specification