Impulse-based, flexible parts feeder
US6056108A · kind A · utility
44Cited by
28References
42Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/50151
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A flexible parts feeder includes a flexible membrane for supporting parts and defining a selection zone where the positional state of parts is analyzed by a machine vision system. The output of the sensor is used to control a transformer that selectively applies impulse energy to the flexible membrane so as to change the positional states of at least some parts in the selection zone to a desired positional state. Those parts having the desired positional state are selected and removed from the membrane by a robot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.