Automated work transfer system having an articulated arm
US4827954A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1984 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S700/90
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A work transfer system conveying a work basket in a programmed sequence to the processing tanks of an assembly thereof at various positions on a work bench. The system acts to transfer the basket to a selected tank and to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before lowering the basket therein for processing for a given dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted from the tank and transferred to another tank where the procedure is repeated. Running parallel to the front side of the bench is a rail on which a robot rides, the robot supporting a hoist carriage which can be raised or lowered. Cantilevered from the carriage is a main arm articulated by an elbow shaft to a forearm that extends over the bench. The forearm is joined by a hand shaft depending therefrom to a hand that engages the handle of the work basket. A main arm motor acts to rotate the elbow shaft and thereby swing the forearm to a position generally aligning the basket with a selected tank therebelow. A forearm motor acts to turn the hand to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before it is lowered therein by the hoist carriage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.