U.S. patent application number 09/313383 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-31 for assembling device.
This patent application is currently assigned to kananen. Invention is credited to ARAI, KATSUYA, HAYASHI, SHOICHI, HIGEWAKE, TETSUO, INOUE, TSUYOSHI, KATO, KENICHI, OTSUKA, NORIFUMI, SUZUKI, HIROYUKI, TERANISHI, HIROSHI, TOKITA, TAKESHI, TOMIKAWA, HIDEAKI, TOMINAGA, MORIO.
Application Number | 20010002380 09/313383 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15333479 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010002380 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TOMINAGA, MORIO ; et
al. |
May 31, 2001 |
ASSEMBLING DEVICE
Abstract
An assembling device for supplying and assembling a part on an
object has a table and a first moving means disposed above the
table, wherein the first moving means includes a guide and a
movable body. The guide extends in a first direction parallel to a
surface of the table out of a range in which the table is
positioned. The movable body is movable to a position out of the
range in which the table is positioned. The assembling device also
has a second moving means disposed on the table and movable in a
second direction transverse to the first direction, the object
being mounted on the second moving means.
Inventors: |
TOMINAGA, MORIO; (KANAGAWA,
JP) ; ARAI, KATSUYA; (KANAGAWA, JP) ; HAYASHI,
SHOICHI; (CHIBA, JP) ; KATO, KENICHI;
(SAITAMA, JP) ; INOUE, TSUYOSHI; (KANAGAWA,
JP) ; SUZUKI, HIROYUKI; (TOKYO, JP) ;
HIGEWAKE, TETSUO; (TOKYO, JP) ; TOMIKAWA,
HIDEAKI; (SAITAMA, JP) ; TOKITA, TAKESHI;
(CHIBA, JP) ; OTSUKA, NORIFUMI; (KANAGAWA, JP)
; TERANISHI, HIROSHI; (TOKYO, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RONALD P KANANEN ESQ
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER
THE LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET NW SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
|
Assignee: |
kananen
|
Family ID: |
15333479 |
Appl. No.: |
09/313383 |
Filed: |
May 18, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
483/55 ; 409/202;
409/212; 483/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 483/1793 20150115;
Y10T 409/309576 20150115; Y10T 409/308288 20150115; Y10T 29/53417
20150115; Y10T 29/53183 20150115; H05K 13/0404 20130101; Y10T
483/165 20150115; Y10T 29/53178 20150115; Y10T 483/17 20150115;
Y10T 409/307728 20150115; Y10T 29/5313 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
483/55 ; 483/15;
409/202; 409/212 |
International
Class: |
B23Q 003/157; B23C
001/00; B23C 001/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 25, 1998 |
JP |
P10-143211 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An assembling device for supplying and assembling a part on an
object, comprising: a table; and a first moving means disposed
above said table; said first moving means including a guide and a
movable body; said guide extending in a first direction parallel to
a surface of the table out of a range in which said table is
positioned; said movable body being movable to a position out of
the range in which said table is positioned.
2. An assembling device according to claim 1, wherein said first
moving means further comprising said guide extending in said first
direction, said movable body movable along said guide, and a holder
for holding a head detachably on said movable body, said guide has
a protruding guide projecting along said first direction from the
range in which said table is positioned.
3. An assembling device according to claim 1, further comprising a
second moving means disposed on said table and movable in a second
direction transverse to said first direction, and said object being
mounted on said second moving means.
4. An assembling device according to claim 2, further comprising a
parts supply means disposed in a position below said protruding
guide.
5. An assembling device according to claim 2, wherein said holder
is capable of replacing a parts assembling head with another head
for processing an object.
6. An assembling device according to claim 2, wherein said guide of
said first moving means is supported on columns vertically
extending from opposite ends of said table.
7. An assembling device according to claim 2, wherein said holder
has an actuator for moving the head on said guide in a third
direction respectively transverse to said first direction and to a
second direction which is transverse to said first direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an assembling device for
supplying and assembling a part on an object.
[0002] There have been proposed various assembling devices for
assembling a part on an object. For example, an assembling device
for attaching a circuit board to a chassis with screws has been
proposed as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 of the accompanying
drawings.
[0003] The proposed assembling device has a head 1000 movable in an
X-axis direction for supplying a screw 1003 to a circuit board 1001
and a chassis 1002.
[0004] The screw 1003 is supplied to the head 1000 from a screw
supply unit 1005 mounted on a table 1004. The screw supply unit
1005 is placed on an upper surface 1006 of the table 1004, and
occupies a portion of the table 1004.
[0005] The screw supply unit 1005 is placed on the upper surface
1006 of the table 1004 because the head 1000 can be moved only in a
movement range L along the X-axis direction. Therefore, the screw
supply unit 1005 has to be positioned within the movement range
L.
[0006] Accordingly, an area 1007 shown as hatched in FIG. 16, that
can be practically used for work on the upper surface 1006 of the
table 1004 is limited because of the presence of the screw supply
unit 1005. In order to be able to place a larger circuit board 1001
or chassis 1002 on the table 1004, the area 1007 on the table 1004
has to be increased, and the movement range L of the head 1000 in
the X-axis direction has to be increased. Stated otherwise, the
assembling device has to be increased in overall size.
[0007] Since the screw supply unit 1005 is placed on the upper
surface 1006 of the table 1004, there are limitations on the sizes
of the circuit board 1001 and the chassis 1002 which are workpieces
that can be placed on the table 1004. Another disadvantage is that
after the circuit board 1001 and the chassis 1002 are fastened
together by screws, the screw supply unit 1005 presents an obstacle
to replacing them with a new circuit board 1001 and chassis
1002.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
assembling device which solves the above problems, can be reduced
in size, and allows an object or a workpiece to be replaced
efficiently.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided an
assembling device for supplying and assembling a part on an object,
comprising a table and a first moving means disposed above the
table, the first moving means including a guide and a movable body,
the guide extending in a first direction parallel to a surface of
the table out of a range in which the table is positioned, the
movable body being movable to a position out of the range in which
the table is positioned.
[0010] The first moving means further comprising the guide
extending in the first direction, the movable body movable along
the guide, and a holder for holding a head detachably on the
movable body, the guide has a protruding guide projecting along the
first direction from the range in which the table is
positioned.
[0011] The assembling device further comprises second moving means
disposed on the table and movable in a second direction transverse
to the first direction, the object being mounted on the second
moving means.
[0012] The assembling device further comprises parts supply means
disposed in a position below the protruding guide.
[0013] The holder is capable of replacing a parts assembling head
with another head for processing an object.
[0014] The guide of the first moving means is supported on columns
vertically extending from opposite ends of the table.
[0015] The holder has an actuator for moving the head on the guide
in a third direction transverse to the first direction and also
transverse to the second direction.
[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention
are shown by way of illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembling device
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a view showing the assembling device illustrated
in FIG. 1 with an object and a head removed therefrom;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a view showing the assembling device illustrated
in FIG. 2 with a parts supply unit, etc. further omitted from
illustration;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembling device of
FIG. 3 as viewed from its back;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the assembling device
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the assembling device illustrated
in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the assembling device
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a view showing the manner in which screws are
supplied to and threaded into an object by the assembling device
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a controller of the assembling
device illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a view showing the manner in which a first moving
means shown in FIG. 1 is driven;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a view showing the manner in which a second
moving means shown in FIG. 1 is driven;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a view of an arrangement of plural assembling
devices shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an assembling device
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a plan view of an assembling device according to
still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 14;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a related art assembling device;
and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a front view of the related art assembling device
shown in FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0035] The embodiments which will be described below are preferred
specific embodiments, and hence have various technically preferable
limitations. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to
the preferred embodiments unless specifically indicated
otherwise.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of an assembling
device 10 according to the present invention. The assembling device
10 generally has a table 12, a first moving means 14, and a second
moving means 16.
[0037] In the assembling device 10, various movements can be
performed in an X-axis direction (first direction), a Y-axis
direction (second direction), and a Z-axis direction (third
direction), as shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows the assembling device 10 in its entirety. FIG.
2 shows the assembling device 10 with an object 18 and a head 20
removed therefrom. FIG. 3 shows the assembling device 10 with a
parts supply unit 22 and a support plate 24 of the second moving
means 16 omitted from the illustration of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the
assembling device 10 of FIG. 3 as viewed from its back.
[0039] The table 12 is of a small size which can be placed on a
base 26 such, as a desk, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. As shown
in FIGS. 6 and 7, the table 12 has a front panel 28 and a rear
panel 30. The front panel 28 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 has a slot 34
for inserting an IC card (a functional card with an integrated
circuit) and various connectors 36, 38, etc.
[0040] The rear panel 30 shown in FIG. 4 has a main switch 38, a
power supply receptacle 40, various connectors 42, 44, 46, 48, 50,
etc.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the table 12 has a plane upper
surface 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the table 12 is an
elongate rectangular or square shape as viewed from the Z-axis
direction (vertical direction). The first moving means 14 has
vertical columns 12B, 12B attached to rear ends 12A, 12A of the
table 12. The first moving means 14 is mounted along the X-axis
direction (first direction) which is preferably parallel to the
upper surface 52 of the table 12. The X-axis direction is the same
as a lateral direction of the upper surface 52.
[0042] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the first moving means 14 has a guide 60
supported in a position remote from the table 12, i.e., suspended
by the columns 12B, 12B. The first moving means 14 can move and
position the head 20 in the X-axis direction. The first moving
means 14 has the guide 60 along the X-axis direction, a movable
body 62 (see FIG. 2) movable along the guide 60, and a holder 64
for holding the head 20 detachably on the movable body 62. The
guide 60 has a protruding guide 99 which serves to move and
position the head 20 in a parts supply position SP. Specifically,
as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the protruding guide 99 projects to
a position out of the range of the upper surface 52 of the table
12, to one side of the table 12 in the X-axis direction.
[0043] The guide 60 may be of a construction as shown in FIG. 10,
for example. In FIG. 10, the guide 60 has pulleys 68, 70, a motor
72, and a toothed belt (also referred to as a timing belt) 74 which
is trained around the pulleys 68, 70. The movable body 62 of FIG. 2
is attached to the toothed belt 74 and guided by a guide bar 69.
The motor 72 may comprise a pulse motor, for example. When the
motor 72 is energized, the movable body 62 is moved by the toothed
belt 74 trained around the pulleys 68, 70 and can be positioned in
the X-axis direction.
[0044] The holder 64 is detachably mounted on the movable body 62
by screws or the like. In FIG. 1, the head 20 is detachably
supported on the holder 64. The holder 64 has a driving cylinder 70
for lowering or lifting the head 20 in multiple steps in the Z-axis
direction (third direction). When the driving cylinder 70 is
operated, a slider 73 of the holder 64 is vertically moved in the
Z-axis direction. The head 20 is detachably held on the slider
73.
[0045] The head 20 is a device capable of attracting and holding a
screw 76 releasably, and threading the screw 76 into the object 18.
The head 20 is connected to a suction unit 78. When the suction
unit 78 is actuated, the head of the screw 76 is attracted under
vacuum to a tip end 20A of the head 20. The head 20 rotates the
vacuum attracted screw 76 with a motor or pneumatic pressure to
thread the screw 76 into a screw hole of the object 18.
[0046] The head 20 can be moved and positioned above the parts
supply unit 22 by the first moving means 124. As shown in FIG. 1,
the parts supply unit 22 holds a succession of screws 76.
[0047] When the head 20 is positioned above a screw 76 on the parts
supply unit 22, i.e., in the parts supply position SP as shown at a
position (A) in FIG. 8, the suction unit 78 shown in FIG. 1 is
operated to attract and hold a screw 76 under vacuum.
[0048] When the head 20 is moved to a position (B) shown in FIG. 8
or a position (C) shown in FIG. 8, the head 20 can position and
thread the screw 76 into the object 18.
[0049] The second moving means 16 is incorporated in the tale 12,
and has a guide 80 and a slider 82 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. The
guide 80 has pulleys 82, 84, a motor 86, and a toothed belt 88 with
a slider 82 mounted thereon. The slider 82 is guided by a guide bar
83. When the motor 86 is energized, the slider 82 is moved by the
toothed belt 88 and can be positioned in the Y-axis direction.
[0050] The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis
direction are perpendicular to each other.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the support plate 24 is
detachably mounted on the slider 82. As shown in FIG. 1, the object
18 is detachably attached on the support plate 24 under suction,
for example. The object 18 may comprise a chassis 18A and a circuit
board 18B, for example. The circuit board 18B can be fixed securely
to bosses 18C of the chassis 18A by threading screws 76 into the
bosses 18C.
[0052] The assembling device 10 can thus assemble the circuit board
18B on the chassis 18A with the screws 76.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows a controller 100 for instructing the motors 72,
76 and the driving cylinder 70 to operate. A card reader 90 is
connected to the controller 100. When an IC card 32 is inserted
into the card reader 90, the card reader 90 reads the software of
an assembling process of parts on the object 18 with screws from
the IC card 32, and transmits the read software to the controller
100.
[0054] A switch 96 is connected to the controller 100 and has an ON
button 96A and an OFF button 96B for turning on and off,
respectively, the assembling device 10 shown in FIG. 1.
[0055] An example of operation of the assembling device 10 for
assembling and fixing the chassis 18A and the circuit board 18B to
each other with screws will be described below.
[0056] The chassis 18A and the circuit board 18B, i.e., the object
18, are placed in a superposed relation on the support plate 24
shown at position (B) and (C) in FIG. 8. The object 18 may be
supplied automatically by an external automatic supply device
(including a robot or the like) or manually by the worker.
[0057] The parts supply unit 22 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed in the
parts supply position SP alongside of the table 12. The parts
supply position SP is formed so as to correspond to the protruding
guide 99 of the guide 60 of the first moving means.
[0058] The protruding guide 99 projects in the X-axis direction
from the table 12 near a left-hand side 12S thereof. The projecting
state of the protruding guide 99 is clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and
6.
[0059] The head 20 is mounted in advance on the slider 73 of the
holder 64 shown in FIG. 1.
[0060] The controller 100 shown in FIG. 9 gives a command to the
motor 86 to move the object 18 in the Y-axis direction on the upper
surface 52 of the table 12 and position the object 18 in a
predetermined position. The controller 100 also instructs the motor
72 to position the head 20 over a screw 76 in the parts supply
position SP. The controller 100 actuates the cylinder 70 to lower
the head 20 for attracting the screw 76 under vacuum, as shown at
the position (A) in FIG. 8. The controller 100 actuates the
cylinder 72 again to lift the head 20.
[0061] The head 20 with the screw 76 attracted thereto moves in the
X-axis direction (to the right in FIG. 8) as shown at position (B)
or (C) in FIG. 8, and is positioned above a hole of the circuit
board 18B.
[0062] When the cylinder 70 is actuated again, the head 20 threads
the screw 76 into the hole of the circuit board 18B and also a hole
of the boss 18C.
[0063] The above process is repeated to securely assemble and fix
the circuit board 18B shown in FIG. 1 on the bosses 18C of the
chassis 18A with a plurality of screws 76.
[0064] As described above, the assembling device 10 of the present
invention has the protruding guide 99 as an extension of the guide
60 of the first moving means 14. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the
protruding guide 99 projects from the left-hand side 12S of the
table 12. The parts supply unit 22 can be placed in a position
below the protruding guide 99.
[0065] The parts supply unit 22 is independent of the table 12 and
does not need to be placed on the upper surface 52 of the table 12.
The parts supply unit 22 may be spaced from the table 12 and
mounted on the base 26 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0066] Therefore, the space on the upper surface 52 of the table 12
can be fully used for placing the object 18 or workpiece thereon,
without being occupied a portion of the upper surface 52 by the
parts supply unit 22. The upper surface 52 can sufficiently be used
to place the object 18 thereon, and hence can place an object 18
having a wide area thereon. Since the parts supply device 22 is not
mounted on the upper surface 52, the object 18 can be placed on and
removed from the upper surface 52 highly efficiently.
[0067] Inasmuch as the parts supply unit 22 may be positioned on
the base 26 substantially in alignment with the protruding guide
99, the parts supply unit 22 can be positioned with large freedom.
Besides, the parts supply unit 22 does not pose problems, even if
it is large in size, and hence a wide choice is available of sizes
for the parts supply unit 22.
[0068] The head 20 shown in FIG. 1 is detachably mounted on the
slider 73 of the holder 64. If the head 20 for supplying and
threading screws 76 is replaced with a head having another
function, then the assembling device 10 may be used as a device for
performing such another function.
[0069] For example, a head having another function may be any of
heads performing various functions, such as a cutting head for
cutting an object 18 of metal, a nozzle head for applying an
adhesive to an object, a machining head for dividing a circuit
board into predetermined dimensions, or a soldering head for
soldering parts on a circuit board.
[0070] FIG. 12 shows an arrangement having a plurality of
assembling devices 10 shown in FIG. 1. The parts supply unit 22 is
positioned below the protruding guide 99 of the first moving means
14 of each of the assembling devices 10. The parts supply unit 22
may be disposed in a parts supply position SP formed between
adjacent tables 12. This arrangement of the plural assembling
devices 10 occupies a minimum width 110. The plural assembling
devices 10 can be controlled in a coordinated fashion by a computer
120.
[0071] FIG. 13 shows an assembling device 10 according to another
embodiment of the present invention. The assembling device 10 shown
in FIG. 13 differs from the assembling device 10 shown in FIG. 1 in
that the columns 12B, 12B of the first moving means 14 are attached
to the rear panel 30 of the table 12. The columns 12B, 12B attached
to the rear panel 30 allow the upper surface 52 of the table 12 to
provide a wider area that can be used. The columns 12B, 12B are
less obstructive to movement of the object 18. Other details of the
assembling device 10 shown in FIG. 13 are identical to those of the
assembling device 10 shown in FIG. 1. For those details, reference
should be made to the description of the structure and operation of
the assembling device 10 shown in FIG. 1.
[0072] FIGS. 14 and 15 show an assembling device 10 according to
still another embodiment of the present invention. The assembling
device 10 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is identical to the assembling
device 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that it has the table 12 and the
second moving means 16. The assembling device 10 shown in FIGS. 14
and 15 has a first moving means 14 including protruding guides 99,
199 disposed respectively in left- and right-hand positions
thereof. Specifically, the protruding guide 99 extends into a side
facing a left-hand side 12S of the table 12, and the protruding
guide 199 extends into an opposite side facing an another side 12P
of the table 12.
[0073] With the above arrangement, the head 20 can move along the
guide 60 of the first moving means 12 in the X-axis direction and
further into a wider range coextensive with the protruding guide 99
or the protruding guide 199. If parts supply units 22 are placed
below the respective protruding guides 99, 199, then parts
supplying capability of the assembling device can be increased.
[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiments.
[0075] In the illustrated embodiments, the object (workpiece) 18 is
described as a chassis and a circuit board. However, the object 18
is not limited to those components, but may be components in other
fields or areas.
[0076] For example, if the head 20 is a soldering head, then the
object may be a circuit board, for example. If the head has a
function to cut an object, then the object may be a metal piece or
a circuit board.
[0077] The actuator for vertically moving the head 20 is not
limited to a driving cylinder, but may be a combination of a motor
and a feed screw.
[0078] The first moving means in the X-axis direction and the
second moving means in the Y-axis direction may also be a
combination of a motor and a feed screw.
[0079] According to the present invention, as described above, the
assembling device may be small in size and allows an object or
workpiece to be replaced highly efficiently.
[0080] Although certain preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been shown and described in detail, it should be
understood that various changes and modifications may be made
therein without departing from the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *