Patent Application
20140209434
Aspects generally relate to (and are not limited to) an apparatus for use with a fixture assembly and a workpiece.
A workpiece is either raw material or a partially finished piece that is shaped by performing various operations.
A fixture assembly is a work-holding or support device used in the manufacturing industry. What makes a fixture unique is that each one is built to fit a particular part or shape. The main purpose of a fixture is to locate, and in some cases, hold the workpiece during either a machining operation or some other industrial process.
I, the inventor, have researched a problem associated with known fixture assemblies and workpieces. After much study, I believe I have arrived at an understanding of the problem and its solution(s), which are stated below.
In accordance with an aspect of my work, I (the inventor) have developed an apparatus for use with a fixture assembly and a workpiece. The apparatus includes a frame assembly and a detector assembly. The detector assembly is configured to couple to the frame assembly. The detector assembly is also configured to detect an occurrence in which the fixture assembly remains inadvertently non-separated from the workpiece while the workpiece is moved.
In accordance with another aspect of my work, I (the inventor) have developed a method for use with a fixture assembly and a workpiece. The method includes detecting an occurrence in which the fixture assembly remains inadvertently non-separated from the workpiece while the workpiece is moved.
In accordance with other aspects of my work, I (the inventor) have developed and provided other aspects as provided in the claims.
Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.
The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Referring to
The definition of “non-separated” is that the fixture assembly 902 cannot voluntarily (easily) separate (release) from the workpiece 904 as the workpiece 904 is moved away from the fixture assembly 902. An example may include a case where the fixture assembly 902 cannot voluntarily separate from the workpiece 904 because the fixture assembly 902 experiences an (inadvertent or unwanted) interference fit (press fit, friction fit) with the workpiece 904 that causes inadvertent continued connection between the fixture assembly 902 and the workpiece 904 as the workpiece 904 is moved away from the fixture assembly 902. Another example may include the case where the fixture assembly 902 remains inadvertently fixedly coupled (directly or indirectly) to the workpiece 904 that causes unwanted continued connection between the fixture assembly 902 and the workpiece 904 as the workpiece 904 is moved away from the fixture assembly 902.
In accordance with
In accordance with
Referring back to the example depicted in
The detector assembly 104 may further include a pivotal assembly 108. Generally speaking, the pivotal assembly 108 is configured to operatively couple to the arm assembly 106. The pivotal assembly 108 is further configured to permit selective pivotal movement of the arm assembly 106 along any one of a vertically extending direction (or vertical plane) and a horizontally extending direction (or horizontal plane).
An example of the pivotal assembly 108 includes a spring pivot module, Model or
Series number 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300 manufactured by BOMMER INDUSTRIES located in Landrum, South Carolina, U.S.A. (or any functional and/or structural equivalent).
Other components of the detector assembly 104 include a connection interface 109. The connection interface 109 is configured to connect the pivotal assembly 108 to the frame assembly 102 that is configured to be mount at a relatively stationary position (as depicted in
By way of example, the frame assembly 102 includes a support assembly 126, a base extension 128, a base assembly 130, and a coupler 132. The support assembly 126 is configured to support the pivotal assembly 108. The connection interface 109 of the pivotal assembly 108 is fixedly connected to the support assembly 126. The support assembly 126 may be a planar-shaped metal body, and may be horizontally aligned, and is generally configured to support the pivotal assembly 108. The base extension 128 is configured to extend (generally downwardly) from the support assembly 126. The base extension 128 may include a tubular-shaped member that is fixedly connected to the support assembly 126. The base assembly 130 is configured to fixedly connect to the base extension 128. The base assembly 130 may include a plate-shaped body that has a footprint extending on opposite sides of the base extension 128. The coupler 132 is configured to attach the support assembly 126 to a relatively stationary structure 906 as depicted in
According to an option, the arm assembly 106 includes a wear assembly 114 mounted to an end portion or tip of the arm assembly 106. The wear assembly 114 may include a nylon body or other suitable material that is configured to resist wear in response to making repeated contact with the fixture assembly 902. The wear assembly 114 is configured to make selective contact with the fixture assembly 902. In addition, a connector assembly 115 is configured to fixedly connect the wear assembly 114 to the tip of the arm assembly 106.
The detector assembly 104 may further include a trip-wire interface assembly 112. Generally speaking, the trip-wire interface assembly 112 is configured to interface with a trip wire 113 as depicted in
Generally speaking, the detector assembly 104 may be further configured to initiate issuance of a stop signal to a safety circuit configured to halt operation of a machine that is moving (hoisting) the workpiece 904 away from the fixture assembly 902.
Other possible variations, examples or embodiments for the detector assembly 104 include an electronic photo-eye device and/or a proximity switch. These devices (these variations) are interfaced with a PLC (programmable logic controller) having software instructions configured to operate these devices in accordance with the general operational requirements of the detector assembly 104. The electronic photo-eye device is a photodetector used for detecting obstruction of a light beam. The electronic photo-eye device detects presence (and absence) of light. Visible light may be used. The electronic photo-eye device is configured to detect position of the fixture assembly 902 in response to the occurrence in which the fixture assembly 902 remains inadvertently non-separated from the workpiece 904 while the workpiece 904 is moved. The proximity switch (also called a proximity sensor) is a sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The proximity sensor may emit an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation (infrared, for instance), and looks for changes in the field or return signal. The object being sensed is often referred to as the proximity sensor's target. The proximity switch is configured to detect proximity of the fixture assembly 902 in response to the occurrence in which the fixture assembly 902 remains inadvertently non-separated from the workpiece 904 while the workpiece 904 is moved.
In view of the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that a method is provided for use with the fixture assembly 902 and the workpiece 904. The method includes detecting the occurrence in which the fixture assembly 902 remains inadvertently non-separated from the workpiece 904 while the workpiece 904 is moved. The method may further include initiating issuance of a stop signal to a safety circuit configured to halt operation of a machine that is moving the workpiece 904.
The apparatus 100 provides the detector assembly 104 configured to detect the case where the pallet assembly 903 or the fixture assembly 902 is stuck to the bottom of the engine assembly 905 or workpiece 904 when the engine assembly 905 is moved via a hoist machine (known and depicted). The apparatus 100 may be configured to initiate shut down of equipment by activating a safety circuit that shuts down the hoist machine. Thus, when the engine assembly 905 is moved to a first elevated position (i.e., the detectable position), the detector assembly 104 detects whether the pallet assembly 903 remains inadvertently attached to the engine assembly 905, which then may activate the safety circuit. The detector assembly 104 may be designed with certain clearance dimensions, due to the fact that the rack, having the engine assembly 905, enters the load cell on a chain conveyor before loading onto a roller conveyor. For example, there may be three engines per rack, with each instance of the engine assembly 905 having its own instance of the pallet assembly 903 from which the engine assembly 905 is removed individually. The detector assembly 104 may be configured to permit movement of the rack (moving in and out) relative to the load station for the case where the detector assembly 104 extends inside of the frame of the rack to detect an inadvertently raised instance of the pallet assembly 903 still connected to the engine assembly 905. The detector assembly 104 is configured to detect the case where the pallet assembly 903 is stuck to the bottom of the engine assembly 905 for the case where the pallet assembly 903 is moved, and may be further configured to optionally activate the safety circuit that shuts down further movement of the engine assembly 905. When the engine assembly 905 is moved to a detection (or scan) position, and if the pallet assembly 903 remains inadvertently attached to the engine assembly 905, the detector assembly 104 may detect this inadvertent condition, and then the safety circuit may be activated if so desired.
It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as may be required to perform desired functions and tasks that are within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one of them in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly, components that is superior to any of the equivalents available to the art. There is no particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for the purposes of this document, “includes” is equivalent to the word “comprising.” It is noted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.
