Variable-pitch pick and place device
US6439631B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S294/907
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Improved variable-pitch pick and place devices may include one or more improvements such as a mechanical linkage such as pantograph linkage, the linkage itself linked to a plurality of device-gripping mechanisms arranged in a row so as to keep uniform, though variable, spacing between the device-gripping mechanisms, with the number of such mechanisms being increased relative to the number of parts in the linkage for reduced tolerance stack-up and improved positioning accuracy. The horizontal position of the linkage may be fixed at a position not at an end thereof, and desirably within the middle third or at the middle thereof. The linkage may be controlled at three points. These points may include a vertically flexible but horizontally fixed link to a supporting structure at the middle of the pantograph, a link at one end of the pantograph to one side of an endless loop of timing belt, and a link at the other end of the pantograph to the other side of the endless loop of timing belt. The links to the timing belt at the ends of the pantograph may be made via two end-most device-gripping mechanisms. The position of the timing belt may be controlled by a servomotor with a position enc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.