System and method for handling a component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10730243-B2
Application number	US-201715603010-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2017
Priority date	May 24, 2016
Publication date	Aug 4, 2020
Grant date	Aug 4, 2020

Abstract

A system for handling a first component includes: a main-device and a module-device, the module-device having a pressing section arranged to form an outer surface of the module-device, the module-device configured to releasably receive the first component, such that a connection section of the first component is attachable to the pressing section of the module-device. The module-device is releasably connected to a second component, wherein the main-device includes a grabbing unit adapted for releasably connecting the module-device, such that the pressing section is arranged to form a first outer surface section of the main-device, and wherein the main-device includes a connector for connecting to a handling-unit for arranging the main-device at the second component, such that the connection section of the first component, if attached to the pressing section of the module-device, is at least indirectly attachable to a front surface of the second component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for handing a first component to be assembled with a second component, the system comprising:
a main-device comprising:
a connector configured to connect the main-device to a handling-unit for arranging the main-device at the second component; and
a grabbing unit; and

a module-device configured to be releasably connected to the grabbing unit of the main-device, and configured to be releasably connected to the second component, the module-device comprising:
a pressing section arranged to form an outer surface of the module-device, wherein the module-device is configured to releasably receive the first component such that a connection section of the first component is releasably attachable to the pressing section; and
a clamping arm configured to releasably clamp the module-device to the second component;

wherein the main-device is arranged such that, when the first component is attached to the pressing section of the module-device, the connection section of the first component is at least indirectly attachable to a front surface of the second component;
wherein the clamping arm is actuated into a clamping position to clamp the module-device to the second component such that, when the first component is attached to the pressing section of the module-device, the connection section of the first component is clamped to the front surface of the second component; and
wherein the clamping arm locks in the clamping position such that the module-device and the first component remain clamped to the second component after disconnection of the main-device from the module-device.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises the handling-unit.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the main-device comprises a driving unit;
the module-device comprises an actuation unit being connectable, controllable, and/or drivable by the driving unit;
the actuation unit is adapted to swivel the clamping arm at least between the clamping position and a second position;
in the clamping position, at least a part of the clamping arm is arranged in overlap with the pressing section; and
in the second position, the clamping arm uncovers the pressing section to accommodate attaching the connection section of the first component, if attached to the pressing section, at least indirectly to the front surface of the second component.

4. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the driving unit of the main-device and the actuation unit of the module-device are adapted, such that the driving unit connects to the actuation unit to drive the actuation unit, when the module-device is connected to the main-device.

5. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the actuation unit is configured to lock the clamping arm in the clamping position.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:
the main-device comprises a vacuuming unit with an air connection port providable with a vacuum air pressure; and
the vacuuming unit is configured to suck onto the front surface of the second component, when a sealing surface of the vacuuming unit is attached to the front surface of the second component and the vacuum air pressure is applied to the air connection port.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main-device comprises a pressing unit configured to press the module-device with the pressing section facing forward in a pressing-direction away from the main-device.

8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the main-device comprises a sensor configured to at least indirectly detect a force, which may be applied by the pressing unit to the module-device.

9. The system according to claim 8 , further comprising a control unit connected via a signal connection to the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a sensor signal, representing the force, to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the pressing unit based on the sensor signal.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to control the pressing unit, such that the force corresponds to a predefined reference force.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Piepenbrock Joachim
• Engels Alexander
• Grassl Gregor
• Gensicke Karsten
• Apel Klaus

Classifications

• B29C66/82423

  using vacuum (using vacuum directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/82661) · CPC title

• B29C31/008

  Handling preformed parts, e.g. inserts (B29C37/001 takes precedence; for injection moulding B29C45/14008; for blow moulding B29C49/2408; for thermoforming B29C51/165) · CPC title

• B29C66/863

  Robotised, e.g. mounted on a robot arm · CPC title

• B25J15/022

  actuated by articulated links · CPC title

• F16B11/006 Primary

  by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48) · CPC title