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US 10,264,720 B1Granted
Lead trimming module
AssigneeFlextronics AP, LLC
InventorsDason Cheung, Murad Kurwa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lead trimming module and system provides automated means for trimming leads of a mounted electrical component. A controller executes a programmable lead trimming algorithm and correspondingly controls a movement apparatus, such as an XYZ gantry robot, and mounted lead trimming module for selectively trimming lead protrusions to a programmed lead length.
Claims27
A lead trimming device comprising:
- a. a lead trimmer configured to cut a lead protruding from a component, wherein the lead trimmer comprises a bracket having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the lead trimmer further comprises a fixed cutting handle fixedly coupled to the bracket and a movable cutting handle movably coupled to the fixed cutting handle at a pivot point, further wherein the entire fixed cutting handle remains fixed in position relative to the bracket;
- b. a pneumatic actuator coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to actuate the lead trimmer;
- c. a collection tube configured to receive a trimmed portion of the lead cut from the lead by the lead trimmer, wherein the collection tube comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the collection tube, the first end of the collection tube directly connected to the first end of the bracket, further wherein an entirety of the lead trimmer is positioned externally to the collection tube;
- and
- d. a rotation motor assembly coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the rotation motor assembly is configured to rotate the lead trimmer between a plurality of different cutting angles, wherein the rotation motor assembly comprises a rotation motor and a drive cam, the drive cam is coupled to the rotation motor and is rotatably connected to the collection tube.
2 more elements
A lead trimming device comprising:
- a. a lead trimmer configured to cut a lead protruding from a component, wherein the lead trimmer comprises a bracket having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- b. a pneumatic actuator coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to actuate the lead trimmer;
- c. a collection tube configured to receive a trimmed portion of the lead cut from the lead by the lead trimmer, wherein the collection tube comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the collection tube, the first end of the collection tube directly connected to the first end of the bracket, further wherein an entirety of the lead trimmer is positioned externally to the collection tube;
- and
- d. a rotation motor assembly coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the rotation motor assembly is configured to rotate the lead trimmer between a plurality of different cutting angles, wherein the rotation motor assembly comprises a rotation motor and a drive cam, the drive cam is coupled to the rotation motor and is rotatably and directly connected to the collection tube.
2 more elements
A system for lead trimming, the system comprising:
- a. a gantry robot;
- b. a lead trimming device coupled to the gantry robot, the lead trimming device comprising:
- i. a lead trimmer configured to cut a lead protruding from a component, wherein the lead trimmer comprises a bracket having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the lead trimmer further comprises a fixed cutting handle fixedly coupled to the bracket and a movable cutting handle movably coupled to the fixed cutting handle at a pivot point, further wherein the entire fixed cutting handle remains fixed in position relative to the bracket;
- ii. a pneumatic actuator coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to actuate the lead trimmer;
- iii. a collection tube configured to receive a trimmed portion of the lead cut from the lead by the lead trimmer, wherein the collection tube comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the collection tube, the first end of the collection tube directly connected to the first end of the bracket, further wherein an entirety of the lead trimmer is positioned externally to the collection tube;
- and
- iv. a rotation motor assembly coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the rotation motor assembly is configured to rotate the lead trimmer between a plurality of different cutting angles, wherein the rotation motor assembly comprises a rotation motor and a drive cam, the drive cam is coupled to the rotation motor and is rotatably connected to the collection tube;
- and
- c. a control module coupled to the gantry robot and to the lead trimming device.
6 more elements
A lead trimming device comprising:
- a. a lead trimmer configured to cut a lead protruding from a component, wherein the lead trimmer comprises a bracket having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- b. a pneumatic actuator coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to actuate the lead trimmer;
- c. a collection tube configured to receive a trimmed portion of the lead cut from the lead by the lead trimmer, wherein the collection tube comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the collection tube, the first end of the collection tube directly connected to the first end of the bracket, further wherein an entirety of the lead trimmer is positioned externally to the collection tube;
- and
- d. a rotation motor assembly coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the rotation motor assembly is configured to rotate the lead trimmer between a plurality of different cutting angles, wherein the rotation motor assembly comprises a rotation motor and a drive cam, the drive cam is coupled to the rotation motor and is rotatably connected to the collection tube, further wherein the drive cam, collection tube and bracket are configured such that rotation of the drive cam translates to rotation of the collection tube about a central axis of the collection tube, and rotation of the collection tube translates to angular rotation of the second end of the bracket about the central axis of the collection tube which changes the cutting angle of the lead trimmer.
2 more elements
A system for lead trimming, the system comprising:
- a. a gantry robot;
- b. a lead trimming device coupled to the gantry robot, the lead trimming device comprising:
- i. a lead trimmer configured to cut a lead protruding from a component, wherein the lead trimmer comprises a bracket having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- ii. a pneumatic actuator coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the pneumatic actuator is configured to actuate the lead trimmer;
- iii. a collection tube configured to receive a trimmed portion of the lead cut from the lead by the lead trimmer, wherein the collection tube comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end of the collection tube, the first end of the collection tube directly connected to the first end of the bracket, further wherein an entirety of the lead trimmer is positioned externally to the collection tube;
- and
- iv. a rotation motor assembly coupled to the lead trimmer, wherein the rotation motor assembly is configured to rotate the lead trimmer between a plurality of different cutting angles, wherein the rotation motor assembly comprises a rotation motor and a drive cam, the drive cam is coupled to the rotation motor and is rotatably connected to the collection tube, further wherein the drive cam, collection tube and bracket are configured such that rotation of the drive cam translates to rotation of the collection tube about a central axis of the collection tube, and rotation of the collection tube translates to angular rotation of the second end of the bracket about the central axis of the collection tube which changes the cutting angle of the lead trimmer;
- and
- c. a control module coupled to the gantry robot and to the lead trimming device.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.