Cable carrier crossover supplying four non-static locations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10675769-B2
Application number	US-201715418297-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 27, 2017
Priority date	Jan 27, 2017
Publication date	Jun 9, 2020
Grant date	Jun 9, 2020

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supplying cables to robots at non-static locations. A base platform is provided, and a work platform is positioned above the base platform for supporting one or more humans. One or more are robots supported on the base platform independently of the work platform. A cable carrier system is positioned above the base platform and underneath the work platform for providing cables to the robots.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for supplying cables to robots at non-static locations, comprising:
a base platform;
a work platform positioned above the base platform for supporting one or more humans;
a plurality of robots supported on the base platform independently of the work platform; and
a cable carrier system, positioned above the base platform and underneath the work platform, for providing separate cables to the robots;
wherein the cable carrier system provides the cables in a crossover configuration for supplying the cables for the robots in a space between the base platform and the work platform; and
wherein the cable carrier system provides for stacking and nesting the cables on each side of the work platform, so that the cables do not interfere with each other, and so that a first one of the robots travels towards a first end of the work platform, while a second one of the robots travels towards a second end of the work platform, without the first one and the second one of the robots interfering with each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cables comprise at least one of power, control, communications, parts supply and return, for the robots.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cables are crisscrossed to communicate with the robots, so that the cables flow from adjacent a forward end on one side of the work platform to adjacent an aft end on an opposite side of the work platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cables independently supply the robots without interfering with each other, while allowing for a full range of motion for the cables.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable carrier system provides for stacking and nesting the cables on each side of the work platform, so that a first one of the cables reaches any location aft of a second one of the cables and the second one of the cables reaches any location forward of the first one of the cables.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cables for one or more of the robots on a first side of the work platform are fed in from a second side of the work platform opposite the first side of the work platform at a first end of the work platform.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the cables for one or more of the robots on the second side of the work platform are fed in from the first side of the work platform opposite the second side of the work platform at the first end of the work platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the work platform is mounted on one or more risers above the base platform, and the risers include a support section for the cables, thereby holding the cables away from an opposite side of the work platform to allow for a double bend in the cables, in order to allow the robots to reach all available positions and for the cables to be fully extended and retracted as the robots are positioned.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein at least portions of the cables residing on the support section are secured thereon.

10. A method of supplying cables to robots at non-static locations, comprising:
providing a base platform;
positioning a work platform above the base platform for supporting one or more humans;
supporting a plurality of robots on the base platform independently of the work platform; and
positioning a cable carrier system, above the base platform and underneath the work platform, for providing separate cables to the robots;
wherein the cable carrier system provides the cables in a crossover configuration for supplying the cables for the robots in a space between the base platform and the work platform; and
wherein the cable carrier system provides for stacking and nesting the cables on each side of the work platform, so that the cables do not interfere with each other, and so that a first one of the robots travels towards a first end of the work platform, while a second one of the robots travels towards a second end of the work platform, without the first one and the second one of the robots interfering with each other.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cables comprise at least one of power, control, communications, parts supply and return, for the robots.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cables are crisscrossed to communicate with the robots, so that the cables flow from adjacent a forward end on one side of the work platform to adjacent an aft end on an opposite side of the work platform.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cables independently supply the robots without interfering with each other, while allowing for a full range of motion for the cables.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cable carrier system provides for stacking and nesting the cables on each side of the work platform, so that a first one of the cables reaches any location aft of a second one of the cables and the second one of the cables reaches any location forward of the first one of the cables.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the cables for one or more of the robots on a first side of the work platform are fed in from a second side of the work platform opposite the first side of the work platform at a first end of the work platform.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cables for one or more of the robots on the second side of the work platform are fed in from the first side of the work platform opposite the second side of the work platform at the first end of the work platform.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the work platform is mounted on one or more risers above the base platform, and the risers include a support section for the cables, thereby holding the cables away from an opposite side of the work platform to allow for a double bend in the cables, in order to allow the robots to reach all available positions and for the cables to be fully extended and retracted as the robots are positioned.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least portions of the cables residing on the support section are secured thereon.

19. A method for assembly of an aircraft fuselage, comprising:
providing a base platform within a fuselage assembly;
positioning a work platform above the base platform for supporting one or more humans within the fuselage assembly;
supporting a plurality of robots on the base platform within the fuselage assembly independently of the work platform; and
positioning a cable carrier system, above the base platform and underneath the work platform, for providing separate cables to the robots within the fuselage assembly;
wherein the cable carrier system provides the cables in a crossover configuration for supplying the cables for the robots in a space between the base platform and the work platform; and
wherein the cable carrier system provides for stacking and nesting the cables on each side of the work platform, so that the cables do not interfere with each other, and so that a first one of the robots travels towards a first end of the work platform, while a second one of the robots travels towards a second end of the work platform, without the first one and the second one of the robots interfering with each other.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the cables independently supply the robots without interfering with each other, while allowing for a full range of motion for the cables.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Miller John Eric
• Mathis Dennis R

Classifications

• B25J9/0084

  comprising a plurality of manipulators · CPC title

• H02G11/00 Primary

  Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts · CPC title

• B25J5/02

  travelling along a guideway · CPC title

• B25J19/0025 Primary

  Means for supplying energy to the end effector · CPC title

• B25J9/0009

  Constructional details, e.g. manipulator supports, bases · CPC title