Systems and methods for installing push-in fasteners
AssigneeTerabase Energy, Inc.
InventorsJohann Fritz Karkheck, Dylan Richart Harper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
During the installation of solar panels, multiple mounting brackets are attached to solar panel frames, typically implemented manually by an installer. Systems and methods for automatic fastener installation are disclosed to facilitate an automatic assembly process for solar tables. The automatic fastener comprises fastener holders, fastener driving blocks, lifters, and actuators to enable an automatic installation process that comprises a fastener loading stage, a fastener positioning stage, a fastener driving stage, and a retracting stage. The actuators may be oriented in opposite directions to offset activation momentum during fastener installation.
Claims20
An automatic fastener installer for solar table assembling comprising:
- one or more installer branches operable by one or more lifters to be in a lifted position or a retracted position, each installer branch comprising:
- an installer base frame;
- one or more actuators attached to the installer base frame;
- a top frame positioned above the installer base frame via one or more coupling brackets;
- a first fastener driving block that is driven by the one or more actuators to slide along the top frame to install a first fastener into a slot of a first mounting bracket to lock a first solar module frame onto the first mounting bracket;
- and
- a second fastener driving block that is mechanically driven by the one or more actuators to slide along the top frame to install a second fastener into a slot of a second mounting bracket to lock a second solar module frame onto the second mounting bracket.
A method of automatic fastener installation for solar table assembling, the method comprising:
- given an automatic fastener installer comprising one or more installer branches operable by one or more lifters to be in a lifted position or a retracted position, each installer branch comprising an installer base frame, one or more actuators attached to the installer base frame, a top frame positioned above the installer base frame via one or more coupling brackets, a first fastener driving block mechanically driven by the one or more actuators to slide along the top frame, and a second fastener driving block mechanically driven by the one or more actuators to slide along the top frame, performing fastener installation operation comprising steps of:
- loading a first fastener above the top frame next to the first fastener driving block and a second fastener above the top frame next to the second fastener driving block when the one or more actuators are in a retracted position;
- operating the one or more installer branches to the lifted position to lift the installer base frame with the first and second fasteners aligned respectively to a slot on a first mounting bracket and a slot on a second mounting bracket, the first and second mounting brackets are attached to a torque tube, a solar module is placed on the torque tube with a first module frame aligned to the first mounting bracket and a second module frame aligned to the second mounting bracket;
- and
- activating the one or more actuators to drive the first and second fastener driving blocks to push the first fastener into the slot in the first mounting bracket and the second fastener into the slot in the second mounting bracket to lock the first and second module frames.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.