Programmable reconfigurable parts feeder
US5314055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 24, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P90/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention comprises a flexible parts feeding system which can feed a large number of different types of parts to a manipulator. The system comprises a vibrating platform, a conveyor belt, a series of guides to assist in positioning and orienting parts, a vision based system for determining the orientation of a part in the staging area, and computer programming for instructing the manipulator to grasp the part if it is properly oriented in the staging area. The vibratory amplitude and speed, the speed of the conveyor belts, the positioning of the guides and the part signature of the vision system are all programmable responsive to the part which is to be fed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.