Automatic monitoring of vibration welding equipment
US8858742B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C66/9121
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vibration welding system includes vibration welding equipment having a welding horn and anvil, a host device, a check station, and a robot. The robot moves the horn and anvil via an arm to the check station. Sensors, e.g., temperature sensors, are positioned with respect to the welding equipment. Additional sensors are positioned with respect to the check station, including a pressure-sensitive array. The host device, which monitors a condition of the welding equipment, measures signals via the sensors positioned with respect to the welding equipment when the horn is actively forming a weld. The robot moves the horn and anvil to the check station, activates the check station sensors at the check station, and determines a condition of the welding equipment by processing the received signals. Acoustic, force, temperature, displacement, amplitude, and/or attitude/gyroscopic sensors may be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.