Automated assembly of transmission components
US5794339A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53061
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method to automatically align the internal splines (20) of a torque converter (16) to mating external splines (18) of a transmission subassembly (14) during the assembly of the torque converter (16) to the transmission subassembly (14). The apparatus includes a robotic end effector assembly (26) coupled to an arm (22) of a robot (24). The end effector assembly (26) includes a compliance mechanism (51) and a distance sensor (48) that provide for compliance to allow the splines to align and detect if the splines are not properly mating. The end effector assembly (26) also includes an oscillator assembly (69) that is activated to cause non-aligned splines to become aligned during the automated assembly process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.