Modular system for automated portable electronic device disassembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11136191-B1
Application number	US-201916383323-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Apr 12, 2019
Priority date	Apr 13, 2018
Publication date	Oct 5, 2021
Grant date	Oct 5, 2021

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method is described that can include based on dimensions of a first housing of a first portable electronic device, adjusting a position of an adjustable supporting member capable of supporting the first housing relative to a disassembly station. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a first display from the first housing while the first housing is supported by the adjustable support member. The method can further include receiving a second portable electronic device, where the second portable electronic device includes a second housing having dimensions that are different than the first housing. The method can further include based on the dimensions of the second housing, adjusting the position of the adjustable supporting member. The method can further include using the disassembly station, separating a second display from the second housing while the second housing is supported by the adjustable support member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for separating displays from housings of portable electronic devices, the method comprising:
based on dimensions of a first housing of a first portable electronic device, adjusting a position of an adjustable supporting member capable of supporting the first housing of the first portable electronic device relative to a disassembly station;
using the disassembly station, separating a first display from the first housing while the first housing is supported by the adjustable support member;
receiving a second portable electronic device, wherein the second portable electronic device includes a second housing having dimensions that are different than dimensions of the first housing;
based on the dimensions of the second housing of the second portable electronic device, adjusting the position of the adjustable supporting member relative to the disassembly station; and
using the disassembly station, separating a second display from the second housing while the second housing is supported by the adjustable support member.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the disassembly station includes a wedge component having a leading edge, and the method further comprises:
inserting a leading edge of the wedge component between the first display and the first housing of the first portable electronic device;
clamping the first display against the wedge component; and
rotating the first housing away from the first display to remove any connections between the first display and the first housing.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
moving a second disassembly tool of a second disassembly station proximate to the first display.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
rendering a fingerprint sensor included in the first display inoperable using the second disassembly tool.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein, prior to adjusting the position of the adjustable support member, at least one of the first display or the second display is partially disassembled relative to the first and second housings, and the disassembly station further separates the first and second displays from the first and second housings.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
transferring the first display to a third disassembly tool; and
removing a receiver assembly from the first display, wherein the receiver assembly includes one or more of a camera assembly, a speaker, or a microphone.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
transferring the first display to a hopper; and
transferring the receiver assembly to a chute.

8. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
transferring the first housing of the first portable electronic device to a transfer station; and
verifying a battery is carried within a cavity of the first housing using a scanning unit.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein a multi-axis robot rotates the first housing away from the first display.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the disassembly station is included in a first module of a plurality of modules that form a modular system for disassembling the portable electronic devices.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first display is secured to the first housing by a connection.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the connection includes or more mechanical fasteners that secure the first display to the first housing.

13. A module included in a modular system for separating displays from housings of portable electronic devices, the module comprising:
an automatic loading station configured to:
receive the portable electronic devices, and
characterize physical attributes of each portable electronic device of the portable electronic devices;

a disassembly station configured to separate a display from a housing of each portable electronic device, the disassembly station including:
a supporting member that is capable of adjusting a position relative to the housing based on at least one dimension of the housing associated with each portable electronic device, and
a tool configured to separate the housing from the display of each portable electronic device.

14. The module of claim 13 , wherein the tool is a wedge component.

15. The module of claim 14 , the module further comprising:
a transfer station; and
a multi-axis robot capable of transferring the housing to the transfer station, subsequent to the tool separating the housing from the display.

16. The module of claim 13 , further comprising a controller configured to provide control signals to at least one of the automatic loading station or the disassembly station.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a controller of a module, cause the module to carry out steps for separating displays from housings of portable electronic devices that include:
based on dimensions of a first housing of a first portable electronic device, adjusting a position of an adjustable supporting member relative to a disassembly station, wherein the adjustable support member is capable of supporting the first housing;
using the disassembly station, separating the first housing from a first display of the first portable electronic device;
receiving a second portable electronic device having dimensions that are different from dimensions of the first housing;
based on dimensions of a second housing of the second portable electronic device, adjusting the position of the adjustable supporting member relative to the disassembly station; and
using the disassembly station, separating the second housing from a second display of the second portable electronic device.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the disassembly station includes a wedge component, and the wedge component includes a leading edge that separates the first display from the first housing of the first portable electronic device.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the steps further include:
clamping the first display against a surface of the wedge component; and
rotating the first housing away from the first display to remove any connections between the first display and the first housing.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the steps further include:
rendering a fingerprint sensor included in the first display inoperable using a disassembly tool.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Rujanavech Charissa
• Wieler Patrick S
• Lewis Mark
• Loeper Thomas
• Mahalas Roy
• Powell Dan
• Schwarz Jason
• Sever John
• Staunton Darragh

Classifications

• H04M1/0287

  being disposable or recyclable · CPC title

• H04M1/0266 Primary

  for a display module assembly · CPC title

• H04M1/0249

  Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly · CPC title

• B65G1/137 Primary

  with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed · CPC title