US 12,459,735 B2Granted

Apparatus, system, and method for automating parts delivery

AssigneesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha

InventorsLloyd R. Holland, Scottie L. Foster, Bradley J. Garcia, Michael C. Greenlee, Jeffrey L. James, Annetta L. Allen, Ronnie G. Kiser, Jr., Andrew B. Novian

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Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for delivering a part to another system. An apparatus includes a platform. The platform includes a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system. The plurality of holding stations include at least a first holding station and a second holding station. The apparatus further includes a first gate member and a second gate member. The first gate member is coupled to the first holding station and a first engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the first engaging member is engaged with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus. The second gate member is coupled to the second holding station and a second engaging member and is configured to move to an open position when the second engaging member is engaged with a second guide member coupled to another apparatus.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for delivering a part to another system, the apparatus comprising:

a platform including a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system, the plurality of holding stations including at least a first holding station configured to hold a first part and a second holding station configured to hold a second part;
a first gate member coupled to the first holding station and a first engaging member coupled to a first spring and configured to engage with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus, the first gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the first part when the first engaging member is engaged with the first guide member on the another apparatus, the first engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the first spring to compress;
and
a second gate member coupled to the second holding station and a second engaging member coupled to a second spring and configured to engage with a second guide member coupled to the another apparatus, the second gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the second part when the second engaging member is engaged with the second guide member on the another apparatus, the second engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the second spring to compress.

1 more element

A system for delivering a part to another system, the system comprising:

a platform including a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system, the plurality of holding stations including at least a first holding station configured to hold a first part and a second holding station configured to hold a second part;
a first gate member coupled to the first holding station and a first engaging member coupled to a first spring and configured to engage with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus, the first gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the first part when the first engaging member is engaged with the first guide member on the another apparatus, the first engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the first spring to compress;
and
a second gate member coupled to the second holding station and a second engaging member coupled to a second spring and configured to engage with a second guide member coupled to the another apparatus, the second gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the second part when the second engaging member is engaged with the second guide member on the another apparatus, the second engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the second spring to compress.

1 more element

A method for delivering a part from an apparatus to another apparatus, the method comprising:

providing a platform including a plurality of holding stations configured to hold a plurality of parts to be delivered to another system, the plurality of holding stations including at least a first holding station configured to hold a first part and a second holding station configured to hold a second part;
engaging, via a first engaging member coupled to a first spring, with a first guide member coupled to another apparatus, the first engaging member coupled to a first gate member connected to the first holding station, the first gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the first part in response to the first engaging member being engaged with the first guide member on the another apparatus, the first engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the first spring to compress;
and
engaging, via a second engaging member coupled to a second spring, with a second guide member coupled to the another apparatus, the second engaging member coupled to a second gate member connected to the second holding station, the second gate member being configured to move to an open position and release the second part in response to the second engaging member being engaged with the second guide member on the another apparatus, the second engaging member configured to move downward to the open position causing the second spring to compress.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.