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US 8,366,592 B2Granted
Quick change spindle
AssigneeCinetic Automation Corporation
InventorsThomas J. Hathaway, Michael A. Hageman, James W. Grimes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated tool includes a quick change spindle assembly. In another aspect of the present invention, the quick change spindle includes an attachment assembly for interchangeable fastener drivers. A further aspect of the present invention employs release member to actuate a drive member in the spindle assembly causing a retainer to uncouple a fastener driver with the spindle.
Claims34
An automated tool comprising:
- a controller;
- a fastener driver;
- a first member having a first bore with an open end on a periphery of the first member, and a second bore with a first end connected to the first bore and a second end on the periphery of the first member, the first member operable to receive the fastener driver;
- a second member, at least partially disposed in the first bore and having an exposed end, the second member being movable between a first position and a second position;
- a third member at least partially disposed in the second bore and movable between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a fourth member disposed on the periphery of the first member and connected to the second member,
- wherein the controller causes a fifth member to apply a force to the second member to move the second member from the first position thereof to the second position thereof which causes the third member to be moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof, and
- wherein the controller causes the fifth member to apply the force to the fourth member by moving the fifth member into contact with the fourth member.
6 more elements
An automated tool comprising:
- a robot arm;
- a fastener driver;
- a rotatable fastener driving spindle having a distal end with a first passageway with an open end on the periphery of the distal end, and a second passageway with a first end connected to the first passageway and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end operable to receive the fastener driver;
- a drive member, at least partially extending into the first passageway and having a drive end, the drive member being movable between a first position and a second position;
- a locking member at least partially disposed in the second passageway and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a holder assembly including a seat operable to receive the fastener driver;
- and
- a release member extending from the holder assembly,
- wherein the robot arm is operable to move the spindle from a workpiece to the holder assembly, and the release member is operable to apply a force to the drive member to move the drive member from the first position to the second position, causing the locking member to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.
6 more elements
An automated quick change tool comprising:
- a socket driver;
- a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end with an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis, a proximal end opposite from the distal end, and a radial bore extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with a first end connected to the axial bore and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end being operable to receive the socket driver;
- a plunger, having a recessed portion, disposed within the axial bore of the spindle, and movable between an extended position in which the plunger is extended relative to the proximal end of the spindle and a retracted position in which the plunger is retracted relative to the proximal end of the spindle;
- a ball at least partially disposed in the radial bore, movable between a locked position in contact with the plunger and the socket driver at a location that is spaced apart from the recessed portion of the plunger and an unlocked position in contact with the recessed portion of the plunger;
- and
- an automated release member,
- wherein the automated release member is operable to move the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position causing the ball to move from the locked position to the unlocked position to release the socket driver.
4 more elements
An automated quick change tool comprising:
- a bit driver;
- a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis, a distal end with an axial bore extending along the longitudinal axis, a proximal end opposite from the distal end, and a radial bore extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis with a first end connected to the axial bore and a second end on the periphery of the spindle, the distal end operable to receive the bit driver;
- a plunger, having a recessed portion, disposed within the axial bore of the spindle, and movable between an extended position in which the plunger is extended relative to the proximal end of the spindle and a retracted position in which the plunger is retracted relative to the proximal end of the spindle;
- a collar, movable between an extended position in which the collar is extended relative to the proximal end of the spindle and a retracted position in which the collar is retracted relative to the proximal end of the spindle;
- a ball at least partially disposed in the radial bore, movable between a locked position in contact with the plunger and the bit driver at a location that is spaced apart from the recessed portion of the plunger and an unlocked position in contact with the recessed portion of the plunger;
- and
- an automated release member,
- wherein the automated release member is operable to move the collar, causing the plunger to move from the extended position of the plunger to the retracted position of the plunger, and causing the ball to move from the locked position to the unlocked position to release the bit driver.
5 more elements
An automated tool comprising:
- a controller;
- a fastener driver;
- a first member having a first bore with an open end and a second bore with a first end connected to the first bore and a second end on a periphery of the first member, the first member configured to be coupled to the fastener driver;
- a second member, at least partially disposed in the first bore and movable between a first position and a second position;
- a third member at least partially disposed in the second bore and movable between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a fourth member disposed around the periphery of the first member and connected to the second member,
- wherein the controller moves a fifth member into contact with the fourth member to apply a force to the fourth member and thereby move the second member from the first position thereof to the second position thereof, which moves the third member from the first position thereof to the second position thereof.
5 more elements
An automated tool comprising:
- a shaft having a distal end with a first bore, and a second bore with a first end connected to the first bore and a second end on a periphery of the shaft;
- a drive rod, having a recessed portion, disposed within the first bore of the shaft, and movable between a first position and a second position;
- a ball at least partially disposed in the second bore and movable between an unlocked position in which the ball engages the recessed portion of the drive rod and a locked position in which the ball is disengaged from the recessed portion of the drive rod;
- a collar disposed around the periphery of the shaft and connected to the drive rod;
- and
- a release member that is operable to move the collar and thereby move the drive rod from the first position to the second position, causing the ball to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.
3 more elements
An automated tool comprising:
- a robot arm;
- a fastener driver;
- a housing member configured to be coupled to the fastener driver and having a first bore with an open end and a second bore with a first end connected to the first bore and a second end on a periphery of the housing member;
- a drive member, at least partially disposed in the first bore and movable between a first position and a second position;
- a locking member at least partially disposed in the second bore and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;
- a holder assembly including a seat operable to receive the fastener driver;
- and
- a release member extending from the holder assembly,
- wherein the robot arm is operable to move the housing member from a workpiece to the holder assembly, and the release member is operable to apply a force to the drive member to move the drive member from the first position to the second position, causing the locking member to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.