Multiple Station Assembly Or Disassembly Apparatus Patents (Class 29/791)
  • Publication number: 20080189927
    Abstract: A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are attached to a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations at which auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. A main car is provided on which the workpiece is mounted and on which the main operator rides. A main operation platform apparatus is also provided that has a main operation platform for carrying out the main operations so as to be movable are used, and then when carrying out at least a portion of the main operations in the main car, the main car and the main operation platform are moved in synchrony. Furthermore, a subsidiary car is provided to travel together with the main car so as to be able to transfer parts and/or jigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Shigeharu Ikeda, Kuniyuki Hashimoto, Junji Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20080163483
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for providing continuous power and utilities to a fixture in a manufacturing process. In one embodiment of the invention, a system with robot, such as a robotic arm, and a workstation can be deployed in a manufacturing process. A fixture associated with the manufacturing process can include a mount operable for receiving power from the robot or robot arm, and another mount operable for receiving power from the workstation. An associated control device, such as a programmable logic circuit, can selectively provide power via either mount depending on whether the fixture is mounted to the robot or robotic arm, or to the workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TENNESSEE RAND AUTOMATION
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Morgan, Edgard Nascimento, Martin Tyman
  • Publication number: 20080104818
    Abstract: A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are installed on a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations where auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. At least a portion of operations in which parts and/or jigs are supplied to a main car are carried out via a main delivery apparatus by using a main car on which a workpiece is mounted and on which a main operator rides, and that travels automatically on a predetermined travel route that transits a plurality of stations. The main delivery apparatus has a main serving position and a main receiving position. Parts and/or jigs that have been disposed at the main receiving position are delivered to the main serving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Taniguchi, Shigeharu Ikeda, Kuniyuki Hashimoto, Junji Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20080104830
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an installation/removal device capable of favorably installing and removing a card fitted to a conveyed object; a display change device including the installation/removal device; and a dosing system including the installation/removal device. A display change device 1 is formed by connecting and thereby integrating an installation/removal device 2 and a card display change device 3 together. The card installation/removal device 1 is configured to have at a back side thereof a pressure reception wall 23e, at a further back side of which a position adjustment mechanism part 100 is provided. The position adjustment mechanism part 100 is configured to include a seat member 101, a moving part 102, and a drive part 103. The position adjustment mechanism part 100 is configured to strike and move the card installation/removal device 1 by an eccentric cam 112.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Tatsuaki Kunimoto, Nobuyuki Fujishima
  • Patent number: 7331439
    Abstract: A manufacturing plant (1) is provided for vehicle body parts (2, 3). The manufacturing plant includes a number of processing stations (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), which are situated one behind the other along a transfer line (22), and of a number of multiaxial robots (18, 19). In at least one processing station (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), one or more handling robots (18) for transporting parts is/are arranged on at least one axis of travel (20, 21). Next to the handling robot (18), one or more processing robots (19) is/are displaceably arranged on the same axis of travel (20). Working locations (11, 12) are arranged on both sides of a common axis of travel (20), whereby another common axis of travel can be provided on the rear side of the working locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: KUKA Schweissanlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Degain, Robert Long, Hans Moser
  • Publication number: 20080022516
    Abstract: A production system for manufacturing imprinted products from sheets of paper, cardboard, and the like, includes several printing machines, several punching machines and a common control unit. The printing machines are linked to the punching machines via a transport system with linear-driven transport mechanism such that the products from one particular printing machine can be taken to any given punching machine, and the transport path of the products is controlled by a control unit. The control unit optimizes the workload of all the machines by dictating the product transport pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventor: Hendrik FRANK
  • Patent number: 7305766
    Abstract: A method for constructing a bus, wherein a module associated with the front end of the bus is separately constructed and assembled to the shell after interior components of the bus have been installed. The shell of the bus can be fabricated at a first work station. The shell can be made transversely or laterally with respect to the longitudinal access of the bus to one or more work stations. At the subsequent work stations, interior components of the bus can be moved through the open ends of the bus. After the majority of the interior components have been installed with respect to the bus, the module supporting the windshield and bumper can be installed with respect to the shell. The module can also support the dashboard and steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Timmermans
  • Patent number: 7269900
    Abstract: A production organizing method and a method and apparatus for assembling vehicle body are provided. The production line organizing method comprises the steps of classifying all parts for all types of vehicles to be assembled into groups of main part, synchronous subparts, and non-synchronous subparts, and the manhour for the non-synchronous subparts are assigned to the difference in manhours for assembly of main parts and synchronous subparts. In addition, a vehicle body assembly method and a vehicle body assembly line are also provided, which are capable of reducing a length of a main line and increasing the productivity by classifying all of the parts used for all vehicle types into three groups of main parts and two groups of subparts including non-synchronous main parts and subparts, and by assembling and storing the non-synchronous main parts and subparts in the separate section and supplying the sub-assembled non-synchronous subparts to the main line when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Moriya, Takehiro Kouno, Kiyoshi Ikumi, Hiroshi Miyashita, Haruji Yoshida, Tatsuaki Son, Kouichi Hosono, Masakazu Kanda, Gengo Kajima, Tomoyoshi Takeuchi, Masanori Yoshida, Jyun Toyoda, Kenji Tatsuda, Yasuo Miyaoka, Michinao Iwami, Ikuo Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 7237328
    Abstract: Production and/or installation device for producing and/or installing a workpiece, with a device frame and a workpiece support table, which has several workpiece supports and is rotating with respect to one or more stationary work stations and can be moved in synchronized fashion, and with a driving mechanism for driving the one or more workstations, which driving mechanism has a motor and at least one essentially vertically movable coupling element, the movement of which is coupled indirectly with the motor and with which a driver of a work station is or can be coupled, the driving mechanism having a working shaft, which is disposed vertically and can be rotated by the motor, with a guiding device, with which the movement of the coupling element is coupled and over which the vertical movement of the coupling element is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Feintool International Holding
    Inventor: Sigmund Kumeth
  • Patent number: 7219786
    Abstract: An operator position adjustable production line assembly includes a main unit having a product path and an interior including a product cavity. An operable top is attached to the main unit with a plurality of support posts enabling equal or near equal access to the interior and product cavity from either side and the ends of the main unit. Optional side covers are selectively movable to increase product cavity and interior height of the main unit. A pair of control stations are provided, one on each side of the main unit, to enable operation from either side or both sides. An optional view screen is rotatably attached to the main unit to permit viewing from either of the control stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Sari
  • Patent number: 7197810
    Abstract: In a transport system for flow line production, especially in the car manufacturing industry, workpieces are movable along at least two first guides between working stations in transportation direction. At least one working station is configured as a screwing and/or assembling means which particularly comprises a plurality of working tools. To improve such a transport system in a way that with little constructional efforts and at reduced costs the assignment of working station and workpiece to be worked thereby is simplified and made possible in an accurate and reproducible manner, the screwing and/or assembling means is integrated into the transport system and is movable at least over a working path in parallel with the first guides in the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper Power Tools GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Werner A. Lutz, Klaus Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 7178227
    Abstract: A workpiece presenter for fixturing a workpiece of a vehicle assembly is provided, including a platform 50, and a tooling plate 7 removably connected to the platform, the tooling plate including a planar body 10 for supporting fixture tools 32, 34 holding the workpiece and including a connector mechanism to allow the planar body 10 to be removably connected with the platform 50 and the tooling plate having a locater mechanism 70, 72, 74 to locate the planar body 10 with respect to the platform 50 in a repeatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Abid Ghuman, John E. Robertson, Bruce Giezentanner, Philip Spring
  • Patent number: 7178660
    Abstract: A manufacturing operation having a first production area, a second production area, and a plurality of platforms each having independently controllable drive assemblies for moving the platforms through the production and delivery areas. Adjacent platforms are spaced from one another a first distance in the delivery areas and a second distance in the production areas, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance and, preferably, where the second distance creates a “zero” gap between adjacent platform decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Noel F. Dehne, Gerald E. Chilson, Earl A. Raynal, Jr., James J. Bedells, Lewis R. Poole, Timothy R. Crumbaugh
  • Patent number: 7165304
    Abstract: A block attacher for attaching blocks to slats as stringers for pallets includes a slat dispenser disposed to dispense individual slats to a slat driver, the slat driver being selectively positionable. A first block dispenser dispenses a block to an assembly station where a position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver and the block dispenser to position the dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a first selected position. At least one other position fixture is disposed to operatively cooperate with the slat driver to position a second dispensed block abutting the individual slat when the slat driver is in a second selected position. The subsequent blocks may be dispensed by the same block dispenser as the first block, or by different dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Dustin W. Smith, Dale De'Crescenzo
  • Patent number: 7162799
    Abstract: A method for notifying installers 14–22 of the existence, type, and location of a portion 26 of an item within an assembly line 10. The notification allows the installers 14–22 to respectively ensure that the components 40 which are needed to be placed upon the portion 26 are available for use by the installer 14–22 in a timely manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Diane E. Moore, John J. Lubash
  • Patent number: 7146694
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating tubular vanes and adhering the vanes to a plurality of associated ladder tapes for use in a blind assembly for an architectural opening is described. The apparatus includes a first section for unrolling resin impregnated fabric tape, folding the tape, and cutting the tape to a predetermined length. In a second section of the apparatus, the cut and folded tape is bonded to together along its longitudinal edges to form a tubular vane. In the third and final section, the completed vane is positioned between the vertical cords of a plurality of associated ladder tapes and the vane is adhesively bonded to a cross rung of each. After the vane has been bonded to the cross rungs, the ladder tapes are advanced and prepared for receipt of the next vane. The resulting subassembly of vanes is used to fabricate blind assemblies through the addition of headrails and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty, Todd B. Jaramillo
  • Patent number: 7111390
    Abstract: An apparatus combining a high-speed high-precision characteristic equivalent to that of a die bonder and a flexibility of coping quickly with a process variation and product variation along with size reduction and economics. This apparatus comprises a base unit including a body containing a device to be used in common among a plurality of processes for mounting and assembling parts, a mechanism for conveying a workpiece in a predetermined conveying direction and a mechanism for positioning the workpiece, a dedicated unit including an end effector, and a selected mechanism unit including a mechanism for moving the end effector in two axial directions perpendicular to the predetermined conveying direction to adjust a relative position between the end effector and the workpiece or a part. The moving mechanism is interchangeably attached on the base unit, and the end effector is interchangeably attached on the moving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Shimamura, Kazuhisa Mishima, Toshiaki Otsuka, Toru Okada, Masanao Fujii
  • Patent number: 7100271
    Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valiant Corporation
    Inventor: Dominique Baulier
  • Patent number: 7093349
    Abstract: A balance assembly (15) is provided for a sash window assembly (10). The sash window assembly (10) has a sash window (12) slidable within a master frame (14). The balance assembly (15) has an elastomer balance member (30) having one end adapted to be connected to the master frame (14) and another end adapted to be connected to the sash window (12) to provide an upward biasing force to the sash window (12). A system (50) is provided for custom-manufacturing the balance member (30) and for custom-manufacturing a sash window assembly (10) incorporating the balance member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: James G. Prete, Richard A. Gardner, Steven E. Schultz, Mark V. Murphy, Vincent F. Eslick, George E. Heid
  • Patent number: 7082677
    Abstract: A tire assembly line including a wheel soaping work station, a tire soaping workstation, a tire and wheel assembly station, and a tire inflation station. The assembly line is formed from a plurality of modules that are interchangeable and releasably connected to one another. The modules support an endless conveyor member for circling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Dürr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Pellerin, Boris R. Teper, Brian Hoy
  • Patent number: 7076865
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for assembly of component parts to produce an article includes a plurality of separate process modules for executing the various process steps, and a plurality of magazine units, which can be coupled to the process modules, for storage and transport of article components produced in the process steps. The process modules have a substantially identical base structure which can be suited to the respective process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Morbitzer, Josef Reithofer
  • Patent number: 7065865
    Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus for assembling truss structures, by assembly on two or more consecutive, spaced apart, coplanar work table surfaces and with a gantry type press assembly of a plurality of wooden truss members and truss connector plates with toothed projections, the truss members coupled by embedding the connector plate projections into said truss members. The truss assembly apparatus has a gantry type press assembly with first and second ends adapted to be mounted on first and second ends of each of said work table surfaces, for movement over the work table surfaces and the space between adjacent work table surfaces. The gantry assembly has a continuous belt on the first and second ends for driving of the gantry assembly, by engagement of the continuous driving belt with the first and second table ends. The gantry assembly is configured to be supported by the continuous belt, during movement of the gantry over a work table surface when crossing the space between work table surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Ghislain Simard
  • Patent number: 7055233
    Abstract: For assigning a tool to a workpiece conveyed on an assembly line, at least one transmitter is arranged in the area of an assembly line, and a receiver is arranged on the tool. An analyzing unit determines the distance of the tool from each transmitter, based on the transit times of at least one received signal, and an indicating device emits positions information regarding workpieces on the assembly line. An assignment unit assigns a tool or a tool position to a workpiece, based on at least one distance of the tool from the transmitter, and on the workpiece positions. The arrangement of the transmitters and receivers can also be interchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Josef Hofer, Robert Donharl
  • Patent number: 7028394
    Abstract: An automatic thermal debonding system removes slider rows from a stainless steel processing fixture. The system uses a bimodal pitch adjustment and a mechanical row detainment mechanism to remove the rows from the fixture. The system allows full control of all critical process parameters such as accurate and repeatable row placement; controlled temperature and heat flow; controlled mechanical removal pressure; temporal control and variability; clean and contaminant-free working area; and full electrostatic discharge grounding and compatible materials. The bimodal pitch adjustment feature allows for continual, high-speed removal of the ceramic rows from the fixture after an automated heating cycle is complete. As the rows are removed, they are accurately placed into the detainment mechanism for the next process step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: John M. Borg, Sean M. Clemenza, Garrett T. Oakes, Katherine T. M. Tran
  • Patent number: 6990715
    Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system having a feature section including at least one module, at least one operational unit mounted to the module and a local controller operatively connected to the operational unit. The local controller is adapted to receive a reference signal and to control the operation of the operational unit based upon the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vincent Bardina Liu, Donald Louis Wires, Michael Joseph Lamping, Albert Michael Fischer, Gary Lee Miller
  • Patent number: 6971175
    Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line (10) and method for assembling vehicle bodies utilizes electromagnetic gauging apparatus (44) to generate production gauge data of an assembly of formed sheet metal components, and an electrical controller (38) compares the production gauge data to design gauge data to detect any production deviation and is electrically connected to the assembly line to adjust the assembly of the formed sheet metal body components to correct any production deviation detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Savoy, Thomas J. Carter
  • Patent number: 6968612
    Abstract: A production line (1) is constituted of a sliding path (10) as a moving path provided along nine working step positions from a first step position (P1) to a ninth step position (P9), nine skids (20) as support-receipt plates slidably mounted on the sliding path (10) every predetermined interval so as to correspond to the step positions (P1) to (P9), and driving mechanisms (30), that is, (31A), (30B) and (30C) as moving and driving mechanisms for moving and driving the skids (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikara Yagaki, Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 6944951
    Abstract: An apparatus for making reinforcing cages, the apparatus having: a frame; a former adapted to receive a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods; a bed attached to the frame, wherein the former rests on and is able to rotate relative to the bed; a drive for rotating the former; a loading module located adjacent to the former; a shuttle mounted on the loading module for longitudinal reciprocal movement towards and away from the former, wherein the shuttle feeds reinforcing rods into the former by moving towards the former, and withdraws the reinforcing rods from the former by moving away from the former as a reinforcing band is positioned around the reinforcing bars; and a rotatable cage holder adapted to hold a reinforcing cage during construction of the reinforcing cage, the cage holder being adapted to substantially prevent twisting of the reinforcing rods which form part of the reinforcing cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Wayne Barden
  • Patent number: 6918169
    Abstract: A method of vehicle assembly (10) comprises the step (A) of fabricating a vehicle body (12) having a floor (14) and door (16) openings and roof pillars (18) defining window openings (20), and a roof (17) supported on the pillars (18) and defining a roof opening (22). The following step (B) includes placing the body (12) on a vehicle chassis (24) followed by the step (E) through (I) of inserting interior components (26) through the opening (22) in the roof (17) and securing the components (26) to the interior of the vehicle body (12). The final step (G) of the assembly includes placing a roof panel (38) on the roof (17) to close the opening (22) therein after the interior components (26) are inserted through the opening (22). The method (10) of vehicle assembly of the present invention will provide new, efficient, and economical method for assembling automotive vehicles that will reduce assembly time and will not be labor intensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Mathson Industries
    Inventor: Boney A. Mathew
  • Patent number: 6918168
    Abstract: A production organizing method and a method and apparatus for assembling vehicle body are provided. The production line organizing method comprises the steps of classifying all parts for all types of vehicles to be assembled into groups of main part, synchronous subparts, and non-synchronous subparts, and the manhour for the non-synchronous subparts are assigned to the difference in manhours for assembly of main parts and synchronous subparts. In addition, a vehicle body assembly method and a vehicle body assembly line are also provided, which are capable of reducing a length of a main line and increasing the productivity by classifying all of the parts used for all vehicle types into three groups of main parts and two groups of subparts including non-synchronous main parts and subparts, and by assembling and storing the non-synchronous main parts and subparts in the separate section and supplying the sub-assembled non-synchronous subparts to the main line when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Moriya, Takehiro Kouno, Kiyoshi Ikumi, Hiroshi Miyashita, Haruji Yoshida, Tatsuaki Son, Kouichi Hosono, Masakazu Kanda, Gengo Kajima, Tomoyoshi Takeuchi, Masanori Yoshida, Jyun Toyoda, Kenji Tatsuda, Yasuo Miyaoka, Michinao Iwami, Ikuo Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 6915572
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of structural members, in which two parallel, flat wire mesh mats comprising longitudinal and transverse wires intersecting with each other and welded together at the points of intersection are advanced on a production line and between the wire mesh mats is introduced an insulating body, whereupon the straight link wires are passed through the insulating body and with their ends welded to the wire mesh mats, so that the latter are held a predetermined distance apart, wherein first an endless, coherent web of insulating material is produced from individual insulating panels and advanced and then the insulating body is cut off this web of insulating material in a selectable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: EVG Entwicklungs-U. Verwertungs-Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ritter, Ingrid Ritter, Gerhard Schmidt, Gerhard Ritter
  • Patent number: 6912774
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling motorcycle frames includes a conveyor defining a path of travel and at least one pallet movable along the conveyor through at least one workstation. The pallet supports at least one rotatable frame for receiving individual components and/or sub-assemblies in fixed relationship with respect to one another in a geometry fixture. The angular position of the rotatable frame and supported geometry fixture can be reoriented about an axis of rotation by engagement with a drive motor. The rotatable frame is normally locked in an angular orientation with respect to the pallet. When the movable section of the conveyor and supported pallet are moved, the movable section of the conveyor is guided between raised and lowered positions with respect to the workstation, and the support pallet is accurately and repeatably positioned with respect to the workstation for automated processing operations at the workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventors: Velibor Kilabarda, Michael R. Dugas, Peter C. Kekic
  • Patent number: 6912775
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling components of a data storage system. Assembly components are housed by a component storage member removably coupled to the frame of the apparatus for supporting a plurality of component stacks for automated assembly. The apparatus includes an assembly coupled to the component storage member for sequentially unloading components and assembling the unloaded components in a data storage system. The apparatus is adapted for high capacity, production and speed assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Micahel W. Pfeiffer, Eric D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6901657
    Abstract: The wiring harness has a plurality of first sub-harnesses and a plurality of second sub-harnesses. The first sub-harness has a first press-fit terminal joined to each end of a first electrical cable, and the first sub-harness has a first isolator holding the first press-fit terminal. The second sub-harness has a second press-fit terminal, a crimp terminal, a connector housing for accommodating the crimp terminal, and a second isolator supporting the second press-fit terminal. The second press-fit terminal is connected to one end of a second electrical cable, and the crimp terminal is connected to the other end of the second electrical cable. The press-fit terminals held by different ones of the isolators can be connected to one another when any of the first and second isolators are layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 6886241
    Abstract: An automatic piston installation apparatus according to the present invention includes a block positioning mechanism for positioning a cylinder block in a working area separated from a conveying line by moving the cylinder block in vertical and horizontal directions and by rotating the cylinder block around the crankshaft, a piston positioning mechanism for positioning the piston at an insertion position by moving the piston to the working area, a piston inserting mechanism for inserting the piston into a cylinder bore from above in the vertical direction, a cap positioning mechanism for positioning the connecting-rod cap by moving the connecting-rod cap to a fastened position in the working area, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the connecting-rod cap from below in the vertical direction. Thereby, the piston can be installed in various engines, such as inline-type and V-type engines, automatically, with a high degree of accuracy, and reliably, and productivity can also be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Tachibana, Toshimitsu Kimura, Hitoshi Moritani, Yuichiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 6883230
    Abstract: An installation apparatus is comprised of a pair of grasping brackets and an installation jig. The installation apparatus is employed to install a cockpit module in a vehicle body in a manner that the grasping brackets is detachably attached respectively to both end portions of a steering member of the cockpit module and that the installation jig grasps the grasping brackets and conveys the cockpit module to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Matsumoto, Masanobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6865800
    Abstract: A billet of veneer sheets is constructed using parallel sheet conveying conveyors for simultaneous building of partial fans that are combined and transferred to the trailing end of the billet. Encoders, detectors and computer controls control the conveyors for precise placement of the sheets in building a fan and precision placement of the fan to the trailing end of the billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Corvallis Tool Co.
    Inventors: Martin J. Utecht, Michael S. Dahrens, Jason A. Holbert, John C. Holbert
  • Patent number: 6865802
    Abstract: A dynamic test fixture has a support frame (3) whose dimensions (31) in the direction of a transverse axis (y) are smaller than a distance between the wheels of a vehicle (8). Via a first unit (71a, 71b, 71c) of a controllable adjusting device (7), the support frame (3) is displaced approximately vertically underneath the vehicle (8) so that the vehicle (8) is moved into a raised testing position. A second unit of the controllable adjusting device (7) acts on the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8) is moved into at least one position (Nx, Ny) that deviates from the horizontal position. A third unit (73) influences the support frame (3) in such a way that the vehicle (8), which it is situated in the raised testing position, is briefly rotated about a vertical axis (z). The test fixture is advantageously used to test a stabilizing system (ESP device) of the vehicle (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sascha Lenzen, Klaus Wolfrum, Goetz Knupfer, Bernhard Flaig, Karl Seyberth, Gero Wittig
  • Patent number: 6834425
    Abstract: An assembly machine comprises a machine frame, a plurality of work stations arranged on a circular carrier plate secured on the surface of the machine frame, and a rotary dish that is rotationally driven in cycles and arranged concentrically with the carrier plate. The rotary dish protrudes along the circumference of the carrier plate and forms a ring-shaped support surface for work pieces that surround the carrier plate. The machine frame is a cast machine component that comprises a table-like substructure and a console on the top side with a ring-shaped mounting surface for receiving a drive for the rotary dish. The rotary dish drive is a direct drive that comprises a ring-shaped stator with electrical windings that is secured on the mounting surface, and a rotor fitted with permanent magnets. The rotor forms a carrier for and is detachably connected with the rotary dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: AKB Automationskomponenten & Basismaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Klaus Budig, Wolfgang Weis, Otto Diederich, Jörg Döring, Mario Franke
  • Publication number: 20040255459
    Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a catalytic converter formed from at least one monolith being held in a catalytic converter housing, especially a motor vehicle catalytic converter. A mounting mat (14) is placed on the outer circumferential surface (38) of the monolith (12) in the process, and the monolith (12) is subsequently stuffed together with the mounting mat (14) into the catalytic converter housing. To apply the mounting mat (14) on the monolith (12), the monolith (12) is set into rotation, while the mounting mat (14) is being fed tangentially and is carried by the monolith (12). A plant for carrying out the process is also provided as well as aan application device (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Markus Alles, Bernd Muller
  • Publication number: 20040255449
    Abstract: An integrated reconfigurable multi-stage manufacturing system and associated methods. The system may include a plurality of manufacturing cells, each cell associated with at least one stage of a manufacturing process. The plurality of cells may include a first cell comprising at least one flexible manufacturing station, a second cell comprising at least one reconfigurable manufacturing station, and a third cell comprising at least one reconfigurable inspection machine. The system may also include a plurality of loop conveyors and a plurality of cell gantries. Each loop conveyor may connect at least two neighboring cells and each cell gantry may transport parts from the cell associated with the cell gantry to at least one loop conveyor. In one embodiment, each cell may be hexagonal, and the manufacturing system may have a honeycomb structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Yoram Koren, Rodney L. Hill
  • Publication number: 20040231149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to destroy sharp, pointed objects and which is provided with means for automatically unscrewing injecting needles and similar. The inventive device comprises a tube (2) containing two motors or a toothed wheel which is actuated by a saw-toothed part which, by sliding along the toothed wheel, causes said toothed wheel to rotate. In turn, the toothed wheel causes gears to move which force two solid cylindrical contacts to rotate. In this way, the needle is destroyed by means of friction and the flow of an electric current. Moreover, said device comprises a conduit therein which is used to evacuate the gases produced by the fusion of the needle without requiring the use of ventilators or any other forced air system. The device also comprises another tube which is used to separate the screw-type needle of a syringe as part of the needle destruction operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Silverio Duenas Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20040221438
    Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line (10) and method for assembling vehicle bodies utilizes electromagnetic gauging apparatus (44) to generate production gauge data of an assembly of formed sheet metal components, and an electrical controller (38) compares the production gauge data to design gauge data to detect any production deviation and is electrically connected to the assembly line to adjust the assembly of the formed sheet metal body components to correct any production deviation detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Savoy, Thomas J. Carter
  • Patent number: 6804880
    Abstract: An assembly apparatus that may easily conform to increase in production volume and change in specifications of parts, and exhibits high production efficiency is provided. The assembly apparatus 1 includes a part-supplying station 2 in which an operator 8 supplies parts to a conveyor pallet 5, a part-assembling station 3 in which assembly robots R1, R2 assemble the parts in the conveyor pallet 5, and a conveyor means 4 that conveys the conveyor pallet 5 from the part-supplying station 2 to the part-assembling station 3. After the assembly robots R1 have finished assembling the parts on one conveyor pallet 5 in a work area A1, the conveyor means 4 conveys the one conveyor pallet 5 from the work area A1, and concurrently conveys the next conveyor pallet 5 following the one conveyor pallet 5 in the work area A1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6782609
    Abstract: A connecting rod is cracked by mounting it on a fixture having a split mandrel and driving a pair of opposed wedges between the mandrel halves. The fixture is mounted on a support and is transported by a conveyor through a series of stations where the rod is split, separated into two pieces, the crack zone is cleaned, and the pieces are reunited along the crack lines. The use of two opposed wedges cancels out the horizontal forces of the wedges and results in a vertical force that cracks the rod. The fixture floats relative to the support allowing the connecting rod to be centered relative to the wedges. A break limiter limits the displacement of the first side of the rod to crack to prevent distortion of the second side before it cracks. In the event the fixture malfunctions, the entire fixture is removed from the conveyor and replaced by another fixture, thus reducing downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Unova IP Corp.
    Inventor: Orrin P. Beggs
  • Publication number: 20040111858
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a first thermoformed workpiece, such as a tab closure, to a second thermoformed workpiece, such as a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: DART CONTAINER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ralph William MacKenzie, Tyler James DeLong, Ryan P. Gingras
  • Patent number: 6745460
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming two tone muntin bars. Method and apparatus of the invention uses an elongated preformed muntin bar member that has a treated portion of an exposed surface of the muntin bar member. An elongated strip of covering material is provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of the treated portion of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive that causes the covering material to adhere to the muntin bar member. The muntin bar member and the covering material are brought into contact with each other to cause the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Glass Equipment Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Bryan McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 6739031
    Abstract: There is a module conveyance mechanism 1 projected, which comprises: lift means for transfer 6, in which the module constructed in a subline SL is made to move through a lower part than a floor side FL of a mainline ML; a slide mechanism 5, wherein the module is made to move through a lower part than the floor side of a mainline ML parallel to the floor thereof; the lift means for assembly 4, in which the module transferred from the slide mechanism 5 is made to rise to the assembly zone of the body F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiharu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6722023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a scrapping system of used-automobiles, comprising a reusable parts collecting station A, a liquid collecting station B for collecting liquids including fuel, oil and coolant, a prearrangement station C for collecting chlorofluorocarbon, batteries, seats, tires, etc., a functional parts collecting station D for collecting suspension device, etc., a non-ferrous metal parts and resin parts collecting station E for collecting motors, harnesses, instrument panels, bumpers, etc., and a pressing station F for pressing a body of the used-automobile which has been processed in the above stations, wherein the stations sequentially arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Yoshikawa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Mori, Seietsu Morimoto, Katsumi Eguchi, Tomio Kawasaki, Hirohumi Kamiota
  • Patent number: 6691405
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to simplify the construction of an assembling apparatus and shorten a tact time thereof for inserting a plurality of fuse into a box. In a fuse box assembling apparatus 1, fuses are fed one by one through outlets 2a of parts feeding units 2 provided for the respective kinds of fuses, and are inserted into a movable magazine 30. The movable magazine 30 is displaced to the respective outlets 2a by a displacing unit 5, thereby collecting necessary fuses in a specified order. The fuses are transferred from the movable magazine 30 to a fixed magazine 40 at once by a transferring mechanism 6 of the mounting unit 4, and are inserted one by one into a box by an inserting mechanism 7. Simultaneously with a fuse inserting operation, fuses to be inserted next are collected in the movable magazine 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kagei