U.S. patent application number 10/072246 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for rotary turret head apparatus.
Invention is credited to Perrelli, John Michael, Saunders, Cheyenne, Speller, Thomas H. JR..
Application Number | 20020083567 10/072246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22277754 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020083567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Speller, Thomas H. JR. ; et
al. |
July 4, 2002 |
Rotary turret head apparatus
Abstract
A rotary turret head apparatus for installing a fastener such as
a rivet. The rotary turret head apparatus has a plurality of
machining and fastener installation tools disposed perpendicular to
the axis of rotation of the turret. The individual tools are
independently powered and the entire turret head apparatus is fed
toward the workpiece by a single actuator mechanism such as a
roller screw or hydraulic cylinder thereby eliminating the need for
a separate actuating mechanism for each tool and eliminating the
need for engagement of each tool with a central actuating
mechanism.
Inventors: |
Speller, Thomas H. JR.;
(East Aurora, NY) ; Perrelli, John Michael;
(Buffalo, NY) ; Saunders, Cheyenne; (Hamburg,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David L. Principe
Hodgson Russ LLP
Suite 2000
One M&T Plaza
Buffalo
NY
14203-2391
US
|
Family ID: |
22277754 |
Appl. No.: |
10/072246 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10072246 |
Feb 8, 2002 |
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09849192 |
May 4, 2001 |
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09849192 |
May 4, 2001 |
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09393758 |
Sep 10, 1999 |
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60100028 |
Sep 11, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/34B ;
29/524.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21J 15/142 20130101;
Y10T 29/5118 20150115; B23Q 39/02 20130101; Y10T 29/5155 20150115;
B23Q 2220/002 20130101; B23Q 2039/004 20130101; B21J 15/10
20130101; Y10T 29/49943 20150115; Y10T 408/37 20150115; Y10T
29/49956 20150115; B23Q 1/4804 20130101; Y10T 29/519 20150115; Y10T
29/5154 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
29/34.00B ;
29/524.1 |
International
Class: |
B23P 023/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rotary turret head apparatus, comprising: a turret having an
axis of rotation; at least one fastener installation tool mounted
on the turret and disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis
of rotation of the turret; a frame supporting the turret; and, an
actuator for moving the frame so as to bring the at least one
fastener installation tool into operative relationship with a
cooperating fastener installation tool separate from the turret
such that the at least one fastener installation tool and the
cooperating fastener installation tool are capable of installing a
fastener.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a shaft is disposed through
the center of the turret.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive system
having a shaft coupled to a motor and a speed reducer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a drive system
having a direct drive servomotor.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one
machining tool removably attached to the turret.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the machining tool is driven
by an independent drive mechanism.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic
cylinder.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a roller screw
mechanism.
9. A rotary turret head apparatus, comprising: a turret having an
axis of rotation disposed through the center thereof, a side, and a
plurality of tool mounting positions disposed on the side; at least
one fastener installation tool disposed substantially perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of the turret; a shaft disposed through the
center of the turret; a drive system for rotating the shaft; a
frame supporting the turret and the drive system; the at least one
fastener installation tool being mounted to the side of the turret
such that the at least one fastening tool is disposed adjacent to
the shaft such that the shaft provides support for the at least one
fastener installation tool during fastener installation impact;
and, an actuator for moving the frame so as to bring the at least
one fastener installation tool into operative relationship with a
cooperating fastener installation tool separate from the turret
such that the at least one fastener installation tool and the
cooperating fastener installation tool are capable of installing a
fastener.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drive system further
comprises a motor and a speed reducer.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the speed reducer is a zero
backlash type gearbox.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drive system further
comprises a direct drive servomotor.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one
machining tool removably attached to one of the tool mounting
positions on the turret.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the machining tool is driven
by an independent drive mechanism.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator is a hydraulic
cylinder.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator is a roller
screw mechanism.
17. A rotary turret head apparatus, comprising: a turret having an
axis of rotation disposed through the center thereof, a side, and a
plurality of tool mounting positions disposed on the side; at least
one fastener installation tool removably attached to one of the
tool mounting positions on the turret and disposed substantially
perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret; at least one
machining tool removably attached to one of the tool mounting
positions on the turret and disposed substantially perpendicular to
the axis of rotation of the turret; means for indexing the at least
one fastening tool and the at least one machining tool to a
predetermined position relative to a workpiece; a frame supporting
the turret and the indexing means; and, means for moving the frame
toward the workpiece so as to bring the at least one fastener
installation tool or the at least one machining tool into operative
relationship with the workpiece.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the indexing means comprises
a direct drive servomotor.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the moving means comprises a
roller screw mechanism.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation application based
on U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/849,192 filed May 4, 2001,
which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/393,758 filed on Sep. 10,
1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,212, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/100,028 filed Sep. 11,
1998.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a rotary turret head
apparatus, and more particularly to a rotary turret head apparatus
suitable for use with automatic fastening tools subject to large
forming forces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In a number of machine tool applications, multiple
operations must be performed successively on a fixed workpiece at
the same location. For example, the assembly of the exterior skin
of an airplane fuselage may require drilling a hole, inserting a
rivet into the hole, upsetting the rivet, and shaving the rivet
head. Automatic fastening machines for performing these operations
are well known. Such a machine utilizes a controlled transfer head
that selectively positions various tools carried by the machine for
sequential operation on a workpiece. Typically, the different tools
in the transfer head are arranged in linear fashion. The linear
carriage enables the tools to be indexed in a straight line into a
working position aligned with a work axis that is disposed
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece. A
control system moves the tools into and out of alignment with the
work axis depending on the required sequence for the system moves
the tools into and out of alignment with the work axis depending on
the required sequence for the manufacturing operation that is being
performed. It is common to have separate actuators or feed
mechanisms for each tool. The separate feed mechanisms drive the
tool toward the workpiece after it has been aligned by the indexing
mechanism. Also, certain tools such as drills require drive
mechanisms for rotating the tool. Accordingly, the number and
different types of mechanisms associated with indexing, feeding and
rotating the tools presents a drawback to the linear carriage type
systems.
[0004] Another drawback to these type of systems is that it is
difficult to retrofit the linear carriages of existing machines
unless the existing machine has the same number of tool
positions.
[0005] As an alternative to having independent feed mechanisms for
each tool, a centralized feed mechanism capable of engaging with
the individual tools can be provided. However, the feed mechanism
should be direct coupled to the tools to prevent backlash or
chatter, and therefore the single feed mechanism introduces
complexity due to the fact that each tool has to be separately
brought into alignment and engagement with the central feed
mechanism.
[0006] There have been tool changers and other machine tool devices
that dispose machine tools about a turret perpendicular to the axis
of rotation of the turret such as the devices disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,296,896; 3,975,109; and, 4,679,276. However, these
patents generally disclose turrets designed specifically for
cutting tools. The purpose of the turrets disclosed in these
patents is to provide tool changers that separately and
individually engage different cutting tools with a central drive.
Accordingly, the systems include clutches and transmissions for
engaging the tools and for driving the tools at different speeds.
These systems suffer from some of the same drawbacks discussed
above such as the complexity associated with having to separately
and individually engage numerous tools with a central drive. Also,
these patents address a different problem, namely using a single
drive to rotate tools over wide ranges of speeds. Furthermore, none
of the prior patents is suitable for use in riveting operations
where forming forces can reach into the tens of thousands of
pounds.
[0007] Accordingly, what is needed is an indexing turret head
apparatus that is capable of indexing several tools into a single
position relative to a workpiece, that has a single actuator device
for all of the tools, that does not require separate engagement of
the actuator device with the tools, and that is suitable for use
with fastener installation tools for installing fasteners such as
rivets where the forming forces for upsetting the rivet are
typically in the range of tens of thousands of pounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention meets the above described need by
providing a rotating turret head apparatus that has a plurality of
tools mounted perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret,
that has a single actuating mechanism for feeding the tools to a
workpiece, and that is suitable for use in installing fasteners
where forming forces are in the tens of thousands of pounds.
[0009] By mounting the tools perpendicular to the axis of rotation
of the turret, a single actuator can be used to feed all of the
tools toward the workpiece without the need for separate engagement
of a central actuator with each tool. The tools are disposed around
the periphery of the turret with sufficient space between adjacent
tools such that there is sufficient clearance between the inactive
tools and the workpiece to avoid obstruction or damage to the
workpiece. Also, because the tools do not have individual actuators
and do not have to individually engage with a central actuator, the
mounting of the tools is simplified greatly. Each tool can be
removably mounted to the turret and can be independently powered by
its own source. Accordingly, the individual sources can operate at
different frequencies and rpm's and can be powered continuously or
powered intermittently depending on the specific application. Also,
there can be a greater number of tool mounting positions on the
turret than there are tools in order to provide for future
expansion. In addition, because the only requirement is mounting
the tools to the turret, it is relatively easy to substitute
different types of tools into the system with little or no
modification.
[0010] Accordingly, the turret head apparatus has a turret with an
axis of rotation and a plurality of tool mounting positions
disposed around the turret. A plurality of fastener installation
and machining tools are removably attached to the tool mounting
positions on the turret and are disposed substantially
perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret.
[0011] A drive system rotates the turret to index the tools into a
working position aligned with the work axis. The turret is
preferably connected to a shaft that is mounted on a set of
bearings disposed inside a frame. The frame supports both the
turret and the drive system. When the tool attached to the turret
has to be fed toward the workpiece, the entire frame is moved by an
actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is capable of moving
the frame to bring the fastener installation tool into engagement
with a cooperating fastener tool such as an opposing ram to install
a fastener.
[0012] A guide structure such as a set of guide rails is disposed
about the frame such that the frame is maintained in substantial
alignment with the workpiece as it travels toward and away from the
workpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the figures of which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical automatic
fastening machine equipped with the rotary turret head apparatus of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the turret head apparatus of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the plurality of tools
carried by the turret of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the turret head apparatus
with a first tool configuration; and,
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the turret head apparatus with the
guide structure removed for clarity and with a different tool
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] FIG. 1 shows one form of an illustrative automatic fastening
machine to which the present invention is applicable, and the
machine is an automatic drilling and riveting machine generally
designated 10. Machine 10 includes a generally C-shaped frame 12
supported on a surface 14, such as the floor of a factory. A
workpiece 16 comprising two metal worksheets 18, 20 to be joined is
introduced into the C-shaped jaws of the machine 10 and clamped
together by pneumatic and/or hydraulic pressure in a known manner.
This pressure holds sheets 18, 20 during the drilling operation,
assuring exact hole positioning. Typically, the first operation
performed by machine 10 on workpiece 16 is drilling a hole at a
location where the center of the hole is on what is known in the
art as the work point or centerline that is disposed perpendicular
to the plane of the surface of the workpiece 16 surrounding the
hole. A tool 22 (shown in FIG. 3) is provided for inspecting the
hole. A fastener 25 (shown in FIG. 3) is inserted in the hole and
squeezed or upset therein by hydraulic cylinder or roller screw
force applied from above by a bucking ram 26 and below by an
opposing ram 28.
[0020] Machine 10 includes an upper head assembly 32 and a lower
head assembly 34, both carried by frame 12. Both upper and lower
assemblies 32, and 34, respectively, are mounted on frame 12 so
that a work centerline alignment is maintained between their
respective tooling, i.e., the lower ram 28 and selectively an upper
head tool such as the bucking ram 26.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, a turret head apparatus 40 includes a
rotary turret 43 having a plurality of tool mounting positions 46
disposed around a side 49 of the turret 43. The turret 43 has
opposite sides 49 and 51, and a circular periphery 54. The turret
43 is disc-shaped, rigid, and capable of supporting a plurality of
tools 57. The tools 57 are preferably mounted to the one side 49 of
the turret 43.
[0022] Turning to FIG. 3, typically the tools for installing a
fastener can include a drill 60, the hole inspection tool 22, the
bucking ram 26, and a shaving tool 66. A rivet or slug 25 is held
in fingers 27 carried by bucking ram or tool 26 in a known manner.
Each of these tools performs its function in sequence. First, the
drill 60 provides a hole through the two metal worksheets 18, 20.
Second, the hole inspection tool 22 is brought into the workpiece
16 to inspect the hole. Next, the bucking ram 26 inserts a rivet 25
into the opening, and then upsets the rivet 25 through its action
against the opposing ram 28 (shown in FIG. 1). Finally, the shaving
tool 66 shaves the rivet 25.
[0023] Returning to FIG. 2, a drive system 70 for rotating turret
43 includes a shaft 71 that is attached to the turret 43, and is
capable of rotating on a set of bearings 73 (shown in FIG. 5) that
are disposed inside a pair of openings 75 in a frame 76. The shaft
71 is preferably constructed of a solid, rigid material.
[0024] The shaft 71 is rotated by a speed reducer 82. The speed
reducer 82 preferably comprises a zero backlash gearbox. The
preferred gearbox is model #MSHV-50 B4117B available from Cone
Drive Textron, Traverse City, Mich. The speed reducer 82 is coupled
to an electric motor 85 (shown in FIG. 2). The preferred motor is a
Goldline B-606-B-B9-225 available from Koll Morgan, Radford,
Virginia. As an alternative to the motor 85 and speed reducer 82, a
direct drive servomotor may also be used. An example is the "DR
Series" Direct Drive Brushless Servo Motor available from the
Parker Hannifin Corporation in Rohnent Park, Calif. The drive
system 70 is center driven which is possible due to the high
resolution associated with servomotors and zero backlash gearboxes.
However, other drive systems such as edge driven systems with
belts, pulleys, or gears may be substituted. With the use of an
encoder (not shown) on the periphery 54 of the turret 43, other
types of motors can also be used including hydraulic motors and
non-servo motors. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be
limited to a center driven system using a servomotor.
[0025] The frame 76 is preferably U-shaped and supports the shaft
71 mounted inside the frame 76 on the bearings 73. The frame 76
also supports the motor 85 and the speed reducer 82. Accordingly,
the frame 76 is constructed of a strong, rigid material capable of
supporting the drive system 70 and the turret 43. The frame 76 is
preferably supported and guided by a set of structural rails 88
that are disposed above, below, and on opposite sides of the frame
76. Other guide structures would also be suitable as will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0026] The frame 76 is connected to and driven by an actuating
mechanism 90. The actuating mechanism 90 may comprise a roller
screw actuator as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,115, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Alternatively, the actuating mechanism 90 may comprise a hydraulic
cylinder or the like or other suitable source of motive force known
to those skilled in the art.
[0027] Turning to FIG. 4, the tools 57 are disposed perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of the turret 43. The tools 57 are disposed
about the turret 43 such that adjacent tools 57 are spaced far
enough apart to provide clearance around the workpiece 16, when the
active tool 57 is brought into engagement with the workpiece 16 by
the actuating mechanism 90.
[0028] In FIG. 5, all of the components that comprise the drive
system 70 for the turret 43, namely the shaft 71, speed reducer 82
and motor 85, are shown. As described above, the speed reducer 82
is preferably a right angle zero backlash gear box. The motor 85,
speed reducer 82, and shaft 71 rotate the turret 43 to index the
tools 57 into a working position that is in alignment with the
workpiece 16.
[0029] The tools 57 are mounted on the side 49 of the turret 43.
For the tools 57 that must withstand the large forming forces
associated with forming a rivet tail, the back end 100 of the tools
57 is disposed adjacent to the shaft 71 such that the shaft 71
provides support upon upset. In this manner, the shaft 71 and the
bearings 73 withstand most of the upset forces rather than the
periphery of the turret 43. By mounting the tools 57 in this
manner, the structural requirements for withstanding thousands of
pounds of force are met without having to design a turret or
turntable capable of withstanding all or most of the force at the
periphery 54.
[0030] In operation, the turret head apparatus 40 is mounted on a
C-frame riveting machine of the type shown in FIG. 1. With the
workpiece 16 positioned between the opposing ram 28 and the rotary
turret head apparatus 40, the tools 57 are indexed in succession
into the working position and then fed to the workpiece 16 by the
actuator 90. As described above, the tools 57 include a drill 60, a
bucking ram 26, a hole inspection tool 22, a shaving tool 66 and
the like. When one of the tools 57 is being fed to the workpiece
16, the other tools 57 are disposed at a sufficient angle such that
the tools 57 do not obstruct or come into contact with the
workpiece 16. After the particular operation is finished, the
actuator 90 retracts the turret 43 away from the workpiece 16 so
that the tools 57 do not strike the workpiece 16 when they are
rotated into the working position. Once the next tool 57 is in the
working position, the actuator 90 feeds it to the workpiece 16 to
begin the next step in the succession of steps required for
installing a fastener such as a rivet 25 or the like. Due to the
configuration of the rotary turret head apparatus 40, the feeding
and rotating of the turret 43 can be performed simultaneously to
reduce cycle times.
[0031] Accordingly, the present invention offers several advantages
including eliminating the need for separate actuators for each tool
and eliminating the need for separate and individual engagement of
each tool with a centrally located actuator. The present invention
provides a single actuator feed mechanism 90 that feeds the entire
turret head apparatus 40 toward the workpiece 16. As a result the
tools 57 can be removably attached to the turret 43 and do not have
to conform to the other tools 57. Each tool 57 where necessary can
have its own motor and power supply, such as the drill 60 shown in
FIG. 3, can be powered continuously or intermittently, and can be
operated at different frequencies and rpm's. Because the tools 57
only have to mount to the turret 43 and do not have to engage
individually with the actuator 90, the tools 57 can easily be
interchanged.
[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that, because
the turret 43 is supported by a center shaft 71 and the tools 57
are mounted on the side of the turret 43, the shaft 71 provides
support for the tools 57 to withstand the upset forces associated
with riveting.
[0033] Also, the rotary turret head apparatus 40 provides a modular
design that enables the user to make tool changes and to add tools
without the drawbacks associated with known apparatus.
[0034] Another advantage of the present invention is that unlike
the linear carriage systems, the rotary turret head apparatus can
feed and rotate the turret simultaneously which reduces the overall
cycle time.
[0035] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on
the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *