Screw supply control apparatus for screw tightening robot
US5365810A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23P19/001
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A screw supply control apparatus controls screw-feed operations of a screw feeder which sequentially supplies to a robot a plurality of screws. The apparatus includes a screw feeder having a screw air-feed pipe through which the screws are air-fed to the robot, and an air-feed valve provided to the screw air-feed pipe. Compressed air is fed into the screw air-feed pipe to air-feed the screw when the screw air-feed valve is open whereas compressed air is not fed into the screw air-feed pipe when the screw air-feed valve is closed. A screw passage sensor is provided at the screw air-feed pipe for sensing passage of the screw and produces a passage signal when the passage of the screw is sensed. A monostable multivibrator is provided for measuring a predetermined period of time and produces a time-up signal when the predetermined period of time is measured. A control unit controls the air-feed valve to open in response to the passage signal and then to close the air-feed valve in response to the time-up signal wherein the monostable multivibrator is controlled to start measurement of the predetermined period of time when the screw passage sensor produces the passage signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.