Vacuum nozzle having dynamically adjustable placement force
US5420488A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 30, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2553/21
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and a method therefor is capable of automated and/or robotic assembly. The apparatus includes a vacuum nozzle (201) for aspirating and securing a component (202, 204). A spring (312) mechanically coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) provides a variable spring force thereto in a direction of a placing operation (214, 216). The variable spring force varies in response to the vacuum nozzle (201) moving linearly along an axis of the placing operation (214, 216). The variable spring force corresponds to a variable placement force applied by the vacuum nozzle (201) to the component (202, 204). A linear position sensor (110) coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) senses a variable linear position of the vacuum nozzle (201). The apparatus adjusts the variable placement force applied by the vacuum nozzle (201) to the component (202, 204) by varying the variable linear position of the vacuum nozzle (201).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.