US 7,000,966 B2Granted

Pick-and-place tool

AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation

InventorsMark A. Kramarczyk, Gary Lee Jones, Yhu-Tin Lin, Phillip A. Bojda

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A pick-and-place tool releasably retains a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device. The pick-and-place tool includes a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving a shaft extending from the part. A plurality of locking mechanisms is disposed within the front structure. The plurality of locking mechanisms are evenly spaced around the inner surface and are in fluid communication with a common fluid source. Each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms includes a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing. Movement of the piston in response to a fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore. In one aspect, a resilient member is disposed between the front structure and a tool holder coupled to the automated device. The resilient member absorbs at least a portion of a force applied to the front structure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pick-and-place tool for releasably retaining a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device, the part including a shaft, the pick-and-place tool comprising:

a tool holder portion configured for coupling to the automated device;
a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving the shaft, the first bore extending from a free end of the front structure and along a longitudinal axis of the front structure, the first bore defining an inner surface of the front structure;
a first sleeve rigidly coupled to the tool holder portion and extending along the longitudinal axis of the front structure;
the front structure further having a second sleeve extending from an end of the front structure opposite the free end, the second sleeve being disposed within the first sleeve;
a coupling feature disposed at the end of the front structure opposite the free end forming thereat a portion of a coupling structure integral to the pick-and-place tool;
a resilient member disposed between the front structure and the tool holder portion, the resilient member being disposed within the second sleeve and being configured to absorb at least a portion of a force applied to the front structure;
and
a plurality of locking mechanisms disposed within the front structure, the plurality of locking mechanisms being evenly spaced around the inner surface and in fluid communication with a common fluid source, each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms including:
a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and
a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing and in fluid communication with the common fluid source, and
wherein movement of the piston in response to a first fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore.

8 more elements

A pick-and-place tool for releasably retaining a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device, the part including a shaft, the pick-and-place tool comprising:

a tool holder portion configured for coupling to the automated device;
a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving the shaft, the first bore extending from a free end of the front structure and along a longitudinal axis of the front structure, the first bore defining an inner surface of the front structure;
a first sleeve rigidly coupled to the tool holder portion and extending along the longitudinal axis of the front structure;
the front structure further having a second sleeve extending from an end of the front structure opposite the free end, the second sleeve being disposed within the first sleeve;
a coupling feature disposed at the end of the front structure opposite the free end forming thereat a portion of a coupling structure integral to the pick-and-place tool;
a flange extending from the first sleeve, the coupling feature comprising a collar secured to the front structure and disposed around the flange;
a resilient member disposed between the front structure and the tool holder portion, the resilient member being disposed within the second sleeve and being configured to absorb at least a portion of a force applied to the front structure;
and
a plurality of locking mechanisms disposed within the front structure, the plurality of locking mechanisms being evenly spaced around the inner surface and in fluid communication with a common fluid source, each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms including:
a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and
a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing and in fluid communication with the common fluid source, and
wherein movement of the piston in response to a first fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore.

9 more elements

An automated device configured to pick-and-place a part including a shaft, the automated device comprising:

a manipulator;
and
a pick-and-place tool disposed on an end of the manipulator, the pick-and-place tool including:
a tool holder portion coupled to the automated device;
a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving the shaft, the first bore extending from a free end of the front structure and along a longitudinal axis of the front structure, the first bore defining an inner surface of the front structure;
a first sleeve rigidly coupled to the tool holder portion and extending along the longitudinal axis of the front structure;
the front structure further having a second sleeve extending from an end of the front structure opposite the free end, the second sleeve being disposed within the first sleeve;
a resilient member disposed between the front structure and the tool holder portion, the resilient member being disposed within the second sleeve and being configured to absorb at least a portion of a force applied to the front structure;
a coupling feature disposed at the end of the front structure opposite the free end forming thereat a portion of a coupling structure integral to the pick-and-place tool;
and
a plurality of locking mechanisms disposed within the front structure, the plurality of locking mechanisms being evenly spaced around the inner surface and in fluid communication with a common fluid source, each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms including:
a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and
a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing and in fluid communication with the common fluid source, and
wherein movement of the piston in response to a first fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/254,458Filed 24 Sep 2002
Published: US 2004/0056495 A125 Mar 2004
Granted: 21 Feb 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B23Q 1/0063
Members which are comprised in the general build-up of a form of machine, particularly relatively large fixed members: connecting non-slidable…
B25J 15/04
Gripping heads and other end effectors: with provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof
B23Q
Details, components, or accessories for machine tools
B25J
Manipulators