BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown in operation;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention with the ball pivoted within the socket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention, a ball joint assembly is generally indicated at 10. The ball joint assembly 10 is fixedly secured to an automation device 12. As is represented in FIG. 1, the automation device 12 is a robot arm. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ball joint assembly 10 may be secured to any type of structure that is capable of moving in some fashion. A suction cup 14 is fixedly secured to the ball joint assembly 10 at an end opposite that which the automation device 12 is secured. The suction cup 14 is used to grip a part 16 that is required for a manufacture or assembly process. Operation of the suction cup will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.
Referring to FIG. 2, the ball joint assembly 10 includes a housing, generally shown at 18. The housing 18 defines a longitudinal axis 20. The housing 18 defines an outer cylindrical surface 22 and a chamfered surface 24 disposed adjacent the outer cylindrical surface 22. A housing neck 26 extends out from the chamfered surface 24. The housing neck 26 includes an interiorly threaded hole 28 designed to be received by the automation device 12. More specifically, the interiorly threaded hole 28 of the housing neck 26 is threadedly engaged with the automation device 12. Two wrench flats 30, 32 allow the housing neck 26 to receive a wrench (not shown) to facilitate the tightening of the housing neck 26 over a portion of the automation device 12.
Referring to FIG. 3, the housing 18 also includes a channel 34 which extends through the housing 18. The channel 34 is in fluid communication with the interiorly threaded hole 28 in that the channel 34 is in fluid communication therewith. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the interiorly threaded hole 28 and the channel 34 have an identical diameter, such that the interiorly threaded hole 28 is merely a threaded portion of the channel 34.
The housing 18 also includes a socket 36. The socket 36 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis 20 and, hence, the channel 34. The socket 36 defines a socket radius 38. As such, much of the socket 36 is spherical in shape.
The ball joint assembly 10 further includes a ball, generally shown at 40. The ball 40 is received by the socket 36 having a radius equal to or less than the socket radius 38. The ball 40 defines a ball channel 42. The ball channel 42 extends through the entire ball 40. The ball 40 is positioned within the socket 36 such that the ball channel 42 is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis 20. The ball channel 42 is in fluid communication with the channel 34 of the housing 18. A portion 44 of the ball channel 42 is threaded. The threaded portion 44 receives a ball neck 46 therein. The ball neck 46 includes a ball neck channel 48, which is in fluid communication with the ball channel 42 and the channel 34 of the housing 18. Therefore, the channels 34, 42, 48 of the ball joint assembly 10 create a path through which a fluid may pass. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid that is passing therethrough is a gas, such as air. When the automation device 12 activates a vacuum, air is drawn through the channels 34, 42, 48 and operate the suction cup 14 disposed at the end of the ball neck channel 48.
The ball neck 46 includes an exteriorly threaded cylindrical surface 50 that is divided into by a tool engaging surface 52. A top half 54 of the exteriorly threaded surface 50 is received by the threaded portion 44 of the ball channel. A bottom half 56 of the exteriorly threaded surface 50 receives the suction cup 14 allowing the suction cup 14 to be secured thereto.
A plate 58 is fixedly securable to the housing 18. The plate 58 secures the ball 40 within the socket 36. The plate 58 defines a plate aperture 60 that allows a portion of the ball 40 extend therethrough. The plate aperture 60 defines a aperture radius 62 which is less than the socket radius 38. The plate 58 also includes a rim 64 that circumscribes the plate 58. Referring to FIG. 3, the rim 64 is of a predetermined thickness that, when fully engaged with a bottom surface 66 of the housing 18, the ball 40 cannot be moved with respect to the socket 36. The rim 64 defines a thickness that prevents the ball 40 from moving relative to the housing 18 when the plate 58 is tightened against the bottom surface 66 of the housing 18. The plate 58 is secured to the housing 18 with a plurality of fasteners 68. In the embodiment shown, the fasteners 68 are screws 68 that are received by a plurality of threaded holes 70 inside the housing 18. The plate 58 includes a plurality of fastener holes 72 that extend therethrough to facilitate each fastener 68 extending therethrough and being received by each of the plurality of threaded holes 70 inside the housing 18. The fastener holes 72 and the plurality of threaded holes 70 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 20.
The housing 18 also includes a plurality of seal seats 74 which are disposed about the socket 36. A plurality of seals 76 are held in place at the plurality of seal seats 74. The plurality of seals 76 prevent fluid from passing through the socket 36 about the outside of the ball 40. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of seals 76 include two O-rings.
Referring to FIG. 5, wherein like prime numerals represent similar structures to those found in the preferred embodiment, an alternative embodiment of the ball joint assembly is generally indicated at 10′. In this alternative embodiment, the ball joint assembly 10′ is virtually identical to that of the preferred embodiment. Therefore, may of the elements will not be described in this portion of the specification as they are identical to that which is discussed above. The difference between the preferred embodiment and the alternative embodiment is the thickness of the rim 64′ of the plate 58′. The thickness of the rim 64′ is thicker than that of the rim 64 in the first embodiment. By increasing the thickness of the rim 64′, the plate aperture 60′ is lowered with respect to the bottom 66′ of the housing 18′. By lowering the plate aperture 60′, the ball 40′ is lowered from the socket 36′ a predetermined amount directly related to the additional thickness of the rim 64′. With less of the ball 40′ engaging the socket 36′, the ball 40 has the ability to moved with respect to the housing 18′. Therefore, the ball 40′ and the ball neck 46′ may be pivoted with respect to the housing 18′ should such movement be desired. This will allow for more ergonomic operation of the ball joint assembly 10′ and the automation device 12 should this freedom of movement be needed.
In operation, the ball joint assembly 10 is secured to the automation device 12 by screwing the ball joint assembly 10 onto the automation device 12. The suction cup 14 is threaded about the bottom half 56 of the exteriorly threaded surface 50′ when it is desired to have the suction cup lift apart, a vacuum is drawn through the automation device 12. The vacuum will then pull fluid from the channels 34, 42, 48 to force the suction cup 14 to secure itself to the part 16. Once engaged, the automation device 12 may move the part 16 to the proper place. Upon reaching the proper position and/or orientation of the part 16, the automation device 12 will release the vacuum and allow fluid to flow through the ball joint assembly 10 through its channels 34, 42, 48 and, hence, release the suction cup 14 allowing the part 16 to be freed of the automation device 12.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
Patent Application
20080019766
