Rotor assembly apparatus and method
AssigneeHomelite, Inc.
InventorsLynn C. Welborn, Parks W. Stiles, Jose I. Venegas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotor assembly machine for assembling spring biased starter pawls to a rotor. The machine includes three loaders. A first loader positions a coiled spring around a post of a rotor. A second loader connects the starter pawl onto the post. The third loader moves a first end of the spring into operable biasing engagement with the starter pawl. The machine is substantially entirely automated with various testing stations along the assembly line path. The machine uses various novel methods at the loaders that allow a substantially trouble free automated assembly.
Claims30
A machine for assembling a rotor assembly having a spring biased starter pawl, the machine comprising:
- a first loader for positioning a spring around a post of a rotor;
- a second loader for connecting the starter pawl onto the post;
- and
- a third loader for moving a first end of the spring into operable biasing engagement with the starter pawl.
A method of mounting a spring on a post of a rotor comprising steps of:
- providing the spring with a coiled section and an engaging section extending across a center channel of the coiled section;
- grasping the spring by inserting fingers of a positioner into the center channel and the moving the fingers outward from each other;
- positioning the coiled section over the post of the rotor;
- and
- pushing the spring off of the fingers and onto the post, the engaging section contacting the exterior of the post and retaining the spring on the post.
A method of operably connecting a first end of a spring to a starter pawl on a rotor assembly comprising steps of:
- extending, by a positioner, an elongate member between cooling fins of a rotor of the assembly;
- hooking the first end of the spring with a hook on a distal end of the elongate member;
- retracting, by the positioner, the elongate member to thereby move the first end of the spring;
- moving the distal end of the elongate member upward to thereby move the first end of the spring upward;
- and
- axially rotating the elongate member to allow the hook on the distal end to disengage from the first end of the spring.
A machine for assembling a rotor assembly having a spring biased starter pawl, the machine comprising:
- means for positioning a spring on a post of a rotor;
- and
- means for connecting the starter pawl to the post after the spring is positioned on the post.
A method of operably connecting a spring to a starter pawl on a rotor assembly comprising steps of:
- extending, by a robotic positioner, an elongate member between cooling fins of a rotor of the assembly;
- grasping a portion of the spring by the elongate member;
- and
- moving the grasped portion of the spring, by the positioner moving the elongate member, into operable engagement with the starter pawl.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.