Robot gear reducer replacing apparatus and method
AssigneeHonda Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorsTom Prater, Mark Roop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for removing and installing a gear reducer from an assembly, such as a Fanuc robot, is provided. The apparatus includes a bracket that is attached to a casing of the robot in a vicinity of a position where the gear reducer is to be removed or installed. The bracket provides a sleeve that is disposed so as to be spaced from and aligned with the gear reducer when the bracket is mounted to the casing. A guide bearing is slidably received through the sleeve and has a first end that attaches to the gear reducer via an attachment assembly. The gear reducer can then be removed by pulling the guide bearing away from the robot or installed by pushing the guide bearing toward the robot.
Claims22
An apparatus for replacing a robot gear reducer mounted in a robot casing, comprising:
- a bracket adapted to be attached to the robot casing;
- a sleeve disposed on the bracket so as to be spaced from and aligned with the gear reducer when the bracket is attached to the robot casing;
- a guide bearing slidably received in the sleeve;
- and
- a mounting plate for attaching a first end of the guide bearing to the gear reducer, the mounting plate comprising:
- a planar body;
- a guide bearing securing portion for attaching to the first end of the guide bearing, the guide bearing securing portion configured to removably attach to the first end of the guide bearing;
- and a gear reducer securing portion adapted to be bolted to the gear reducer,
- wherein the mounting plate guide bearing securing portion is a circular opening with a spacer projecting therefrom, wherein the opening and the spacer cooperate to define a threaded inner surface, and wherein the guide bearing first end is threaded so as to threadedly engage the threaded inner surface of the opening and the spacer of the mounting plate.
An apparatus for replacing a robot gear reducer mounted in a robot casing, comprising:
- a bracket adapted to be attached to the robot casing;
- a sleeve disposed on the bracket so as to be spaced from and aligned with the gear reducer when the bracket is attached to the robot casing;
- a guide bearing slidably received in the sleeve;
- a mounting plate for attaching a first end of the guide bearing to the gear reducer, the mounting plate comprising:
- a guide bearing securing portion for attaching to the first end of the guide bearing;
- and a gear reducer securing portion adapted to be bolted to the gear reducer;
- and
- a hanging assembly for supporting the gear reducer from the bracket,
- wherein the hanging assembly comprises a lift ratchet connected to the bracket and the gear reducer, wherein the lift ratchet is operable to raise and lower the gear reducer.
An apparatus for replacing a robot gear reducer mounted in a robot casing, comprising:
- a bracket comprising:
- a principal support arm adapted to be attached to the robot casing;
- a gear reducer support arm extending from the principal support arm and adapted to support a hanging assembly for supporting the gear reducer;
- and a guide bearing support arm extending from the gear reducer support arm at a position spaced from the principal support arm;
- a sleeve provided in the guide bearing support arm and disposed on the bracket so as to be spaced from and aligned with the gear reducer when the bracket is attached to the robot casing;
- a guide bearing slidably received in the sleeve;
- and
- an attachment member for attaching a first end of the guide bearing to the gear reducer.
A method for removing a gear reducer mounted in a robot casing, comprising:
- attaching a bracket to the robot casing such that a sleeve disposed on the bracket is aligned with and spaced from the gear reducer mounted in the robot casing;
- sliding a guide bearing into the sleeve toward the gear reducer;
- attaching a mounting plate to a first end of the guide bearing;
- attaching the mounting plate to the gear reducer;
- sliding the guide bearing away from the robot casing so as to remove the gear reducer;
- attaching the gear reducer to a hanging assembly that is attached to the bracket;
- detaching the mounting plate from the gear reducer;
- and
- lowering the gear reducer using the hanging assembly.
A method for mounting a pear reducer into a robot casting, comprising:
- attaching a bracket to the robot casing such that a sleeve provided by the bracket is aligned with and spaced from the gear reducer mounted in the robot casing;
- attaching a mounting plate to a first end of a guide bearing received through the sleeve of the bracket;
- attaching the gear reducer to a hanging assembly that is attached to the bracket;
- raising the gear reducer using the hanging assembly until the gear reducer is adjacent to the sleeve;
- attaching the mounting plate to the gear reducer;
- sliding the guide bearing toward the robot casing to install the gear reducer;
- and
- detaching the mounting plate from the gear reducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.