Flexible parts feeder
US5687831A · kind A · utility
43Cited by
23References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K13/0813
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A parts feeder conveys parts to a selection zone viewed by a vision system, which selects parts having an orientation allowing them to be gripped and transferred from the conveyor. Non-selected parts are conveyed from the selection zone to a hopper for recirculation to the selection zone. The parts are tumbled between successive passes through the selection zone and eventually assume orientations allowing them to be gripped. The gripper has rotatable finger pads which can be either driven or passively rotated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.