Control panel disassembly apparatus and method
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJavier E. Tijerina Flores, Laura P. Martinez Salazar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A workstation for disassembling a control panel having a first side and a second side is disclosed. The workstation may include a fixture mounted to the workstation that receives the control panel to be disassembled. The workstation may further include at least two wedging tools that enter the control panel at two locations between the first and second sides of the control panel. In addition, the workstation may include at least two driving members that engage and edge of the first side at two locations and apply a force to the edge sufficient to separate the first side from the second side.
Claims20
A workstation for disassembling a control panel having a first side and a second side, comprising:
- a fixture mounted to the workstation, the fixture configured to receive the control panel;
- at least two wedging tools configured to enter the control panel at two locations between the first side and the second side;
- and
- at least two driving members configured to engage an edge of the first side at two locations, and to apply a force to the first side edge sufficient to separate the first side from the second side.
A workstation for disassembling a control panel having a display panel and a back cover, comprising:
- a fixture mounted to the workstation, the fixture configured to receive the control panel;
- at least two horizontally displaceable wedging tools configured to enter the control panel at two locations between the display panel and the back cover;
- and
- at least two vertically displaceable driving members configured to engage an edge of the display panel at two locations, and to apply a force to the display panel edge sufficient to separate the display panel from the back cover.
A method of separating a back cover and a display panel of a control panel, comprising:
- providing a workstation having a fixture for receiving the control panel, at least two wedging tools and at least two driving members;
- actuating the wedging tools to enter the control panel at two locations between the display panel and the back cover;
- and
- actuating the driving members to engage an edge of the display panel at two locations and to apply a force to the display panel edge sufficient to separate the display panel from the back cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.