Method of removing a nut or bolt using an electromagnetic nutrunner socket collar
AssigneeHonda of America Mfg., Inc.
InventorBrent Rankin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bolt retaining device for a nutrunner which includes a socket having a longitudinal axis and being sized to fit the bolt, the device having an electromagnet positioned with respect to the socket to generate a magnetic field directed along the axis of the socket to hold the bolt in the socket when the field is present, and a controller connected to the electromagnet controlling the magnetic field. The bolt retaining device wherein the electromagnet is a coil co-axially mounted with respect to the socket. Each nutrunner can include a motor, a socket, and a shaft connecting the motor to the socket. One or more nutrunners can be provided on a movable frame.
Claims3
A method of disassembling a part from a body traveling on an assembly line, the part being held on the body by a nut or bolt, comprising:
- advancing a nutrunner socket to engage the nut or bolt,
- engaging the nut or bolt,
- activating an electromagnetic field around the socket,
- retracting the socket while rotating the socket to unthread the bolt or nut, and
- deactivating the magnetic field after the bolt or nut has been completely disengaged from the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.