Patent · US Expired

Top cover installation station for a disc drive

US6497036B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
12References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 18, 2000
Grant dateDec 24, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 20, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/53478
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.