Conveyor(s) Lowers The Load To At Least One Of A Plurality Of Fixed Work Stations Patents (Class 198/346.3)
  • Patent number: 12037192
    Abstract: A rack includes a pair of first rail portions extending in a depth direction for supporting protrusions, a pair of first gradient portions inclining downward toward a front surface of the rack, a pair of second rail portions facing the pair of the first rail portions, and a pair of second gradient portions inclining upward toward the front surface of the rack. A transport robot includes a top plate on which an object is placed, an elevating portion that raises and lowers the top plate, one or more load sensors provided on the top plate, and a control unit for controlling the elevating portion based on measurement results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junya Ota, Kunihiro Iwamoto, Yuta Itozawa, Hirotaka Komura, Yutaro Takagi, Yoshiaki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11764091
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer cassette warehouse transportation structure system includes a wafer cassette lift transportation structure body, a wafer cassette frame structure body, an arm structure body, an arm gripping wafer cassette structure body, and a wafer cassette warehouse structure body. The suspension support rods are suspended on a ceiling. The wafer cassette lift transportation structure body lifts the wafer cassettes to the inlet and outlet. The arm structure body grips the wafer cassettes and puts same on the tracks so that the wafer cassettes can be transported to the wafer cassette warehouse structure body to be precisely accessed. The system saves space and facilitates the access of the wafer cassettes because the wafer cassettes are stored on the wafer cassette warehouse structure body suspended on the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: EDDIE AND SONS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: James Teng
  • Patent number: 11667480
    Abstract: An industrial transportation system includes one or more movers and a robot system. The robot system is configured to load one or more items on the surface of respective movers and unload the one or more items from the surface of respective movers. Each of the one or more movers includes a first surface configured to provide reversible adhesion between the mover and an item loaded on the mover. The reversible adhesion of the surface is activated at loading and deactivated at unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Crum, Robert H. Schmidt, David A. Vasko, Neil R. Bentley, Tracy M. Clark, Michael D. Cook
  • Patent number: 11001448
    Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to conveyor systems including liftgates. In some embodiments, a conveyor system including a liftgate comprises a conveyor section including a plurality of rollers, a liftgate section comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end and including sidewalls, a plurality of liftgate rollers positioned within the frame, a front bracket and a rear bracket, wherein the front bracket is positioned between the sidewalls toward the proximal end and the rear bracket is positioned toward the distal end, and wherein the rear bracket is pivotably affixed to the conveyor section, and an actuator affixed to the rear bracket and the front bracket configured to provide a linear force acting between the rear bracket and the front bracket, wherein the linear force causes the proximal end of the liftgate portion to raise with respect to the conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventor: Paul M. Parmenter
  • Patent number: 10703576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for manufacturing medical pouches and a method for manufacturing medical pouches in a system, said pouch being made from two layers of plastic film and at least one component per pouch, the system comprising a group of positioning aids for the components as well as a group of supports for the positioning aids, the positioning aids being supported on the supports which are conveyed in an endless path with the aid of a guiding mechanism, the system further comprising a component application station designed to bring a component, which has been introduced into the station by a positioning aid with the aid of a support, into a joining connection with the plastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KIEFEL GMBH
    Inventor: Bernd Stein
  • Patent number: 10259663
    Abstract: A device for transporting objects, such as containers, bottles, multipacks and packaged items, comprising a first transporting device having a first conveying speed, at least a second transporting device which is arranged in parallel to the first transporting device and has a second conveying speed, wherein the first and the at least one second transporting device form with each other a substantially closed transport surface and have the same conveying direction, and at least one lifting device, by which at least one of the transporting devices is height-adjustable so that at least a portion of a transport surface of the at least one transporting device can be raised and lowered above and/or below a transport surface of the other transporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Heuft Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Heuft
  • Patent number: 9033131
    Abstract: A transferring mechanism for transferring a workpiece from a tray to a fixture is provided. The transferring mechanism includes a main bracket defining an uploading hole thereon, an uploading assembly, a pick-up assembly and a transferring assembly. The pick-up assembly is located under the uploading hole. The pick-up assembly is mounted on the main bracket above the uploading hole. The transferring assembly includes a fixing bracket and a first transferring subassembly and a blocking member. The fixing bracket is mounted on the main bracket and located under the pick-up assembly. The first transferring subassembly is mounted on the fixing bracket. The blocking member is mounted on the first transferring subassembly and includes a driving portion. The driving portion moves upward to block and position the fixture to enable the pick-up assembly to release the workpiece on the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teh-Yuh Lee, Wei-Jung Hung
  • Patent number: 9010516
    Abstract: A traveling type immersion treatment apparatus for a vehicle body has a speed control device which controls the traveling speed of the conveying traveling body according to the angle of rotation of a rotary shaft that rotates the vehicle body. Between an upright position and a 90° rotation position the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to a reference conveying speed; then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually increased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body reaches a 270° rotation position from the 90° rotation position; and then the forward speed of the conveying traveling body is gradually decreased in relation to the reference conveying speed until the vehicle body returns to the original upright position from the 270° rotation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8926314
    Abstract: A transport device and a transport method for a container treatment plant as well as a blow molding machine is provided. The transport device comprises at least one transport star for transporting receptacles to or away from a treatment station of the container treatment plant, wherein the at least one transport star is arranged obliquely to the treatment station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Jochen Forsthoevel, Franz Gmeiner
  • Patent number: 8905223
    Abstract: This invention provides a conveying apparatus which conveys a workpiece. The conveying apparatus includes a pallet which supports the workpiece, a conveyor which supports one side of the pallet in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction from below the pallet, and includes a conveyance roller for conveying the pallet and a driving source for driving the conveyance roller, and a heaving suppression guide member which extends along the conveyor, abuts against the other side of the pallet in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and suppresses heaving of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Ichihara, Bungo Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140353116
    Abstract: A part mounting facility is provided with substantially U-shaped conveyance paths having return bends, and the substantially U-shaped conveyance paths are formed by providing conveyance paths, which are in part mounting work regions, with the return bends. The substantially U-shaped conveyance paths are connected to each other, and the upstream-most substantially U-shaped conveyance path among the connected substantially U-shaped conveyance paths is connected to the downstream-most substantially U-shaped conveyance path to enable a workpiece conveyance dolly to circulate along the conveyance paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kozasa, Katsuyoshi Tsutsumida, Hidetoshi Takahashi, Daisuke Hashimoto, Tomohiro Sugimoto, Koichi Sano
  • Patent number: 8877128
    Abstract: An empty rack transport line is arranged at a lower stage and independent of a main transport line, a fast emergency line and a reverse line. In a rack stocker, an inclined transport line connects the empty rack transport line to the rack stocker. The rack stocker is arranged between a storage module and a loading module. The rack stocker is capable of continuously supplying and collecting empty racks, while transport lines do not cross each other. It is, therefore, possible to continuously supply and collect empty racks in a simple configuration, without an increase in the system size, an intersection of transport lines and a reduction in processing capability. In addition, it is possible to provide an automated sample testing system that is highly extendable for various facility sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fukugaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hiroshi Ohga
  • Patent number: 8875866
    Abstract: A ceiling transport carriage transfers an article at a first supporting position and receives the article from second supporting position in an article transfer section, in association with hoisting operations of a support unit. A ground transport device transports the article between the above two positions and a processing position where an article processing device effects a processing or operation on the article. The respective positions above are set in tandem in the article transfer section along a tandem direction along which the article processing device and the article transfer section are disposed in tandem. The ceiling transport carriage includes a movement operating mechanism for operating and moving a support unit along the tandem direction, to a position immediately above the first supporting position and to a position immediately above second supporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sebe, Yuji Baba
  • Patent number: 8844707
    Abstract: A transfer system transfers a workpiece between stations of a production line spaced along a transfer axis. The transfer system comprises a frame having a main beam extending along the transfer axis. A plurality of transfer heads are spaced along the main beam with each of the transfer heads configured to independently move along the main beam along the transfer axis and relative to the main beam along a lift axis orthogonal to the transfer axis and a clamp axis orthogonal to the transfer and lift axes to accommodate for variation in spacing between each of the stations. Each of the transfer heads are suspended from the main beam and extend downwardly from the main beam beneath the main beam so that the transfer head is selectively moved outwardly, upwardly, and sideways away from the stations to provide access to the stations from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Noble Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Hulslander
  • Patent number: 8807328
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying objects, particularly vehicle bodies, in an immersion treatment system, comprising at least one conveyor carriage having a chassis supporting at least one load-bearing wheel that can rotate about a rotary axis. At least one object can be attached to a mounting device that can pivot about a pivot axis. The at least one load-bearing wheel runs on a guide rail. The conveyor carriage is moved along the guide rail using drive means. The rotary axis of the at least one load-bearing wheel and the pivot axis of the mounting device are disposed coaxially to each other. An immersion treatment system comprising such a conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Eisenmann AG
    Inventor: Alexander Schurba
  • Patent number: 8800746
    Abstract: A lift assembly for use in conjunction with a conveyor to lift item(s) off of the conveyor and remove the item(s) from the conveying path. The lift assembly may include a housing having housing side walls and a bottom wall, and a carriage having carriage side walls and a carriage bottom wall. The carriage is movable with respect to the housing. The lift assembly may further include a track that receives a guide member of the carriage for guiding the carriage as it is raised and lowered with respect to the housing. The lift assembly may further include an actuator that causes the carriage to be raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Arrowhead Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Pahlow
  • Patent number: 8601664
    Abstract: A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrew S. Kussmaul
  • Patent number: 8561780
    Abstract: The invention relates to an immersion treatment system, particularly an electrophoretic immersion coating system, comprising at least one immersion basin in a known manner that can be filled with a treatment fluid. A transport system guides the objects to be coated to the immersion basin, into the interior of the immersion basin, out of the immersion basin, and away therefrom. It comprises at least one transport car whereon a vertically displaceable carriage is disposed. A component defining a rotary axis is supported on the same, supporting a mounting device for the object to be treated. A motion sequence for the object can be achieved in said manner, comprising a superposition of a horizontal linear motion, a vertical linear motion, and a rotary motion about the rotary axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eisenmann AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Albeck, Antonio Espinosa, Victor Gonzalez, Juergen Hanf, Joerg Robbin
  • Patent number: 8534446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying device for the transport of components or component groups from and to one or more workstations, the conveying device comprising a conveying track and a component carrier truck moved on the conveying track, and there being provided in the region of the workstations, on the conveying track, positioning devices which cooperate with positioning devices on the component carrier truck in such a way that a desired position of the component carrier truck in the workstation is assumed in all three space directions (X, Y, Z) directly as a result of the travel-in movement of the component carrier truck into the workstation, characterized in that, during the entire travel-in movement of the component carrier truck into the workstation, each positioning device on the component carrier truck comes into contact with only its positioning device, determining the desired position, on the conveying track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: EBZ Systec GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Stadler, Alexander Schmeh
  • Patent number: 8522953
    Abstract: A conveyer device conveys a component assembly including a female screw component having a through hole defining a female screw, an assembling component to be assembled to the female screw component from above, and a bolt to be screwed to the female screw of the female screw component from above the assembling component to fix the assembling component. The conveyer device also includes a holding member for holding the female screw component and a screwing restriction mechanism for restricting the bolt, held by the assembling component while unscrewed from the female screw, from being screwed to the female screw. Thus, when the component assembly, to which the bolt is temporarily assembled without being engaged with the female screw, is conveyed while being held by the holding member via the female screw component, the bolt is prevented from being unintentionally screwed into the female screw as the result of vibration etc. caused by the conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 8522957
    Abstract: An overhead conveyor system for transporting articles, especially for transporting vehicle bodies, in a surface treatment line comprises at least one transport carriage which has a fastening device to which at least one article can be fastened. The transport carriage can be displaced along a track carrying it by at least one drive means. The fastening device is received so that it can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation. The invention further relates to a dip coating line comprising at least one dip-coating tank which can be filled with a treatment liquid, into which tank articles to be treated can be dipped. The dip coating line comprises a conveying system which displaces the articles to be treated towards the dip-coating tank, into the interior of the dip-coating tank, out of the dip-coating tank and away therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Eisenmann AG
    Inventor: Joerg Robbin
  • Patent number: 8485343
    Abstract: In a transport system, a plurality of carriers are attached to an endless belt configured to rotate in a circulating manner. At a station, a hand, a driver configured to move the hand in a rotation direction and a vertical direction, a first carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a predetermined position upstream of the hand along the rotation direction of the endless driving medium, and a second carrier sensor configured to detect the carriers at a position downstream of the first carrier sensor are provided. When the carriers pass through the second carrier sensor, it is checked whether the moving distance of the belt matches the distance between the two carrier sensors. In this manner, before starting loading or unloading, for example, whether the encoder is operated normally or not can be confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoya Kimata
  • Patent number: 8459442
    Abstract: An inter-travel-paths transport device transports articles between a first article transfer location and a second article transfer location. It extends in a space upwardly of the article processing devices and connects the first and second article transfer locations. A first transport device transfers an article to or from an article transferring point by vertically moving its holding portion and of transferring an article to or from the first article transfer location by slidingly moving the holding portion at a position which overlaps with the first travel path portion. A second movement slide transport device vertically transfers an article to or from an article transferring point in the same manner with respect to the second travel path portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Morimoto, Takeshi Chuma
  • Patent number: 8374420
    Abstract: A learning control device performs a positioning process, a first image capturing process, and a first deviation amount calculating process in which a reference position deviation amount in the horizontal direction between the imaging reference position and a detection mark is derived based on image information captured in the first image capturing process to derive a position adjustment amount from the derived reference position deviation amount, and the learning control device further includes a positioning correcting process in which the position adjustment device is operated to adjust a position of the second learn assist member based on the derived movement adjustment amount when the reference position deviation amount derived in the first deviation amount calculating process falls outside a set tolerance range. A second image capturing process, and a second deviation amount calculating process may be further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuya Murakami
  • Patent number: 8356705
    Abstract: An improved handling device for driving, immersing/removing and rotating motor vehicle, truck cabin, van and metal article vessel bodyworks into/from processing basins is characterized in that said device comprises a sliding frame designed for sliding on sliding rails, driven by one or two driving chains, and supporting a pair of arms bearing, at their free end portion, a swinging platform, in turn adapted to bear a skid for supporting a bodywork, the sliding frame comprising one or two winch assemblies driving respective pulleys thereon are entrained ropes, belts, chains or the like, and being associated with a respective arm at a swinging shaft, said sliding frame comprising moreover two rack assemblies, therealong slide respective end portions of the arms coupled to the frame, said swinging platform being driven by a chain driving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Geico S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Guerra
  • Publication number: 20120181146
    Abstract: In a revolution transport system for manufacturing and assembly lines with work stations arranged along the transport system, workpiece carriers are movably supported on a track formed by horizontally spaced outer and inner carrier and support rails extending around the transport system wherein each workpiece carrier includes a carriage movably supported on the outer rail and upper and lower rollers in engagement with upwardly facing and downwardly fairing surfaces of the intermediate or inner rail to prevent tilting of the workpiece carrier by forces acting on an outwardly projecting workpiece support arm of the workpiece carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Herbert Tepel
  • Publication number: 20120144785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine with a series of three operating stations (S1, S2, S3), of which the first station (S1) arranges the full trays in a predetermined pattern in one or two parallel rows, while the intermediate station (S2) closes the full trays with a cover of film heat-sealed onto their top edge, optionally after conditioning the atmosphere inside said trays, to preserve the products packed inside them and also performs the operation of cutting off the sealed trays from the continuous web from which said closing cover is taken, and in which the final station (S3) discharges the full trays, closed and separated, as they come from said intermediate station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Massimiliano Vaccari
  • Patent number: 8196732
    Abstract: A transport mechanism is configured to transport a work piece carrier within a buffer in fabrication facility, comprising: a transporter configured to travel on two rails, wherein the transporter comprises (i) a flat belt hoist mechanism configured to lift and to lower one or more work piece carriers, and (ii) a gripper mechanism configured to capture and to release the one or more work piece carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph John Fatula, Jr., Roumen Iliev Deyanov, Kevin Tzou, Pablo Gonzalez, Robert Carlson, John Brooks Greene
  • Patent number: 8118154
    Abstract: A sod handling method and a sod handling apparatus, in one embodiment the sod handling apparatus uses a pressure differential to hold a sod slab during sod transfer, other embodiments include a sod lift member for lifting sod, a sod transport mechanism for moving sod; a sod carriage for transporting sod, a sod bed positioning system for stacking sod, a system and method for checking sod quality as well as an apparatus and method of machine stacking sod to maintain the integrity of a sod stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Trebro Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tvetene, Donald Tvetene, Gregg Tvetene
  • Patent number: 7976260
    Abstract: A work handling apparatus includes a pair of traveling guides (20, 20?) provided so as to extend in a front-and-rear direction X at right and left sides, and a pair of direct-acting arms (30, 30?) provided so as to travel independently on the pair of traveling guides. The direct-acting arms are extendable from contracted positions, at which the arms oppose each other and avoid mutual interference in a right-and-left direction Y, to extended positions at which the arms overlap with each other. An operation spot (41) is arranged in an operation area (40) sandwiched between the pair of traveling guides for performing a predetermined operation to a work. Also, work tools (60, 60?) are attached to the pair of direct-acting arms (30, 30?), respectively, for transferring the work between a work storage area (50) and the operation spot (41) or performing an operation after transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunari Hirata
  • Patent number: 7900767
    Abstract: A manufacturing chain includes a building defining a manufacturing area and having a planar floor. A plurality of modular manufacturing stations are positioned in series within the manufacturing area and above the planar floor. An article transportation system includes a plurality of carrier tracks defining a transportation path, having at least one vertical discontinuity, through the plurality of modular manufacturing stations. A first vertical lift device moves a first carrier track, adjacent the vertical discontinuity, in a vertical direction relative to the transportation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Spangler, Mark E. Dietz
  • Patent number: 7857570
    Abstract: In one aspect, a substrate loading station for a processing tool includes plural load ports. Each load port is operatively coupled to the processing tool and has a mechanism for opening a substrate carrier. A carrier handler transports substrate carriers from a factory exchange location to the load ports without placing the carriers on any carrier support location other than the load ports. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Elliott, Michael R. Rice, Robert B. Lowrance, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 7845483
    Abstract: A conveying operation method and device that can continue an operation on a workpiece to prevent reduction in production efficiency in conveying a workpiece and performing an operation on the workpiece even if conveyance of the workpiece is stopped during the operation on the workpiece. The workpiece is conveyed by a workpiece conveying device, a movable stand is moved in synchronization with the workpiece conveying device in operation areas along a conveying path, and an operation is performed on the workpiece by an operation device provided on the movable stand. When movement of the workpiece conveying device is stopped, the movable stand stops in synchronization with the workpiece conveying device to continue the operation on the workpiece and complete one cycle operation. When non-normal operation is performed on the workpiece, the workpiece is retracted to a position different from the conveying path while being supported by the movable stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Noguchi, Hideya Yamamuro, Mitsugu Takahashi, Masakazu Adachi
  • Patent number: 7798316
    Abstract: A system for handling vehicle frames. The system includes a conveyor assembly including a loading end and an unloading end, and the conveyor assembly carries a plurality of vehicle frames thereon. The system also includes a frame transfer assembly disposed at the unloading end of the conveyor assembly. The frame transfer assembly may be adapted to grasp a vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly and transfer the vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly. A vehicle frame inversion system is also provided that includes a first robotic inversion device that may include a first clamping system, and a second robotic inversion device that may include a second clamping system. The first and second clamping systems are adapted to grasp a vehicle frame, and the first and second robotic inversion devices are adapted to lift and invert the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: James G. Powers, Allan C. McNear, Ronald M. Laux, Robert A. Florian, Paramjit S. Girn
  • Patent number: 7779985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linear conveyor device (30) for objects (20), whereby the objects are taken by drive tongues (40), arranged on circulating toothed belts (31, 32). The objects are secured against lifting off the conveyor device, particularly mechanically, by a cover strip (50). Light objects can thus also be conveyed at high rate in intermittent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Gysi
  • Publication number: 20100200361
    Abstract: An elevator mechanical timing connection free automatic system for immersion processing vehicle bodyworks comprises a plurality of modular processing basins (6) with four lowering devices (13-15) for each basin, operated by independent motors coupled, by pairs, to an electric control system for holding in a timed relationship the raising and lowering movement of pairs of pendulum elements (15), of an independent movement type, thereon a skid-bodywork assembly (1, 5) is loaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: GEICO S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Tagliavento
  • Patent number: 7740122
    Abstract: A workpiece transfer apparatus is provided for transferring workpieces throughout an entire transfer path. A workpiece is transferred along a production line and is processed by processing facilities. Workpiece graspers grasp a workpiece. Rails are arranged above the processing facilities and movably hang the workpiece graspers. The rails are arranged so that at least the two of the rails partially overlap with each other above at least one of the processing facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Usui
  • Patent number: 7721432
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for producing a camshaft comprised of a shaft (2) and of a number of cams (3, 3?, 3?) pressed thereon comprises at least two machining stations (11) of which at least one is provided in the form of knurling station (4) and at least one is provided in the form of a press-on station (5). A shaft (2) is firstly fixed in a brandishing station (4) with the aid of a positioning element (7) fastened to the shaft, and the shaft is subsequently brandished. Afterwards, a cam (3) is pressed onto the shaft (2) in a press-on station (5). To this end, the press-on station (5) comprises a workpiece holder, which corresponds to the positioning element and which serves to provide a holding, particularly to provide an angle-precise holding, of the shaft (2) with the positioning element (7) fastened thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Burgler
  • Patent number: 7673735
    Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Robert B. Lowrance, Martin R. Elliott, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 7527141
    Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Robert B. Lowrance, Martin R. Elliott, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 7510067
    Abstract: A large rectangular rotary table includes a fabricated tubular metal frame having top plates for supporting fixtures and large motor vehicle parts. A center portion of the table frame is supported by an annular turret bearing mounted on a base plate spaced above a floor plate by adjustable leveling screws. A drive unit is also supported by the base plate within the bearing and the center portion of the table frame and includes a planocentric gear reducer driven by an electric servo motor projecting above the table. A laterally projecting torque arm is mounted on the output of the gear reducer and is connected to the table frame by a sliding drive pin assembly which prevents radial loads on the gear reducer when the table is indexed. A fluid actuated table locating pin alternately engages a locating seat on each end of the table after the table is indexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Easom Automation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Kelley, John L. Vaphiadis
  • Patent number: 7506746
    Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Robert B. Lowrance, Martin R. Elliott, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Publication number: 20090065329
    Abstract: A workpiece holder (56) for transporting workpieces in flexible processing lines, in particular assembly lines, is embodied for guidance along a guidance direction by means of a guide geometry of the processing line extending in the guidance direction, and the workpiece holder (56) has a first guide device (88, 88a, 88b) for guide engagement with the first guide geometry, and the workpiece holder (56) has a second guide device (90a), embodied separately from the first guide device, which second guide device is embodied for guide engagement with a second guide geometry, different from the first guide geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Skljarow, Peter Ludwig, Uwe Lindemann, Volker Porzer, Boris Buesing
  • Patent number: 7461733
    Abstract: A vehicle transfer apparatus (1), which transfers a vehicle body (M) in an up-and-down direction, is composed of a pair of stanchions (2), a lift-unit (3), a tire supporter (6) (7), a lift-unit driver (4), and a tire supporter driver (53). In this apparatus (1), a lift-unit (3) is provided to respective stanchions (2), which are disposed on both sides of the vehicle body (M), and is allowed to slide in an up-and-down direction along the stanchion (2) in compliance with the operation by the lift-unit driver (4). In this apparatus (1), the tire supporter (6), which supports the tire (T) in the condition that the lower part of the tire (T) is exposed under the tire supporter (6) is provided to each lift-unit (3), is adapted to control a linear motion between a tire support position and a passing position by the tire supporter driver (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Dohi
  • Patent number: 7347312
    Abstract: An improved distribution system and method of operating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the distribution system includes a plate for loading a plurality of substrates thereon, a first transfer assembly for transferring the substrates from the plate to a conveyer, and a distribution assembly for distributing the substrates transferred by the conveyer to a first testing assembly and a second testing assembly. The distribution assembly includes a first sub-conveyer and a second sub-conveyer, and the outlet of one of the first sub-conveyer and the second sub-conveyer corresponds to the inlet of one of the first testing assembly and the second testing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Yong Han, Jun-Ho Cheong, Byung-Woo Jung
  • Patent number: 7325666
    Abstract: A manufacturing plant comprises at least one conveyor for conveying works and at least one processing machine. In front of a processing machine, provision is made for a delivery device which comprises a rotary table on which at least one pivoted work grab is disposed. A pivoting drive is disposed on the rotary table, acting of the work grab for pivoting the work grab between a downward position of delivery and removal and an upward conveying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cross Huller GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Stengele, Jörg-Michael Nussbaum, Ioan-Mircea Corbean
  • Patent number: 7234584
    Abstract: In a semiconductor fabrication facility, a conveyor transports substrate carriers. The substrate carriers are unloaded from the conveyor and loaded onto the conveyor without stopping the conveyor. A load and/or unload mechanism lifts the substrate carriers from the conveyor during unloading operations, while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Similarly, during loading operations, the load/unload mechanism lowers a substrate carrier into engagement with the conveyor while matching the horizontal speed of the conveyor. Individual substrates, without carriers, may be similarly loaded and/or unloaded from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Rice, Robert B. Lowrance, Martin R. Elliott, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Eric A. Englhardt
  • Patent number: 7168549
    Abstract: A conveyor system incorporating a plurality of lift assemblies, wherein the lift assembly includes a platform for supporting an article during manufacture. A cylinder assembly is used for vertically supporting the platform and for moving the platform vertically between any one of a plurality of vertical height positions. A control system is used for actuating the cylinder assembly. The control system monitors the movement of the article along the assembly line, and includes predetermined height/position routines that are used to actuate the cylinder assembly and thereby move the platform vertically to a predetermined platform height corresponding to the location of the article on the line. In this way, the platform heights are selected to provide an ergonomic benefit in performing each operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason C. Harrison, David Dillard
  • Patent number: 7165665
    Abstract: A transfer line for transporting workpieces from a first workstation to an adjacent second workstation comprises a frame with a depositing place for at least one workpiece. It further comprises a transporting beam, each end area of which having respective work supports. The transporting beam is supported for height adjustment between two positions of lifting such that the work supports are located above or below the depositing place. The transporting beam is further designed for longitudinal displacement between positions of transfer for the work supports to coincide horizontally with the depositing place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Cross Hüller GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Casper, Klaus Strohhäcker, Thomas Schlegel
  • Patent number: 7128195
    Abstract: A transfer system for transferring workpieces between successive die stations in a stamping press employing elongate bars with workpiece grippers mounted thereon. Two elongate support beams are mounted on vertical primary supports on opposite sides of the press. Two mounting heads are mounted on each beam and are horizontally movable thereon. Each head is independently movable and is connectible by one elongate bar to either the mounting head on the same beam or to an opposing mounting head mounted on the other beam, the choice dependent on the workpiece flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Linear Transfer Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Montgomery W. Childs