Device for interlocking and/or frictional connection, and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11668331-B2
Application number	US-201917295769-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2019
Priority date	Nov 21, 2018
Publication date	Jun 6, 2023
Grant date	Jun 6, 2023

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a workpiece to a connection element in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner includes a robot for positioning the workpiece, a spindle for connecting the connection element to the workpiece, and a first support to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece. The first support has a contact region substantially in alignment with a spindle longitudinal axis and in contact with the workpiece during connection of the connection element to the workpiece. The contact region has a size which is smaller than 0.01 m2. A second support to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece has a support surface which in a state in which the workpiece is supported in a substantially orthogonal axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle is disposed in a different plane than a support surface of the first support.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for connecting a workpiece to a connection element in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner, said apparatus comprising:
a robot for positioning the workpiece;
a spindle for connecting the connection element to the workpiece;
a first support configured to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece, said first support having a contact region substantially in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the spindle and in contact with the workpiece during connection of the connection element to the workpiece, said contact region having a size which is smaller than 0.01 m 2 ; and
a second support configured to stabilize the workpiece as the connection element is connected to the workpiece, said second support having a support surface which in a state in which the workpiece is supported in a substantially orthogonal axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle is disposed in a different plane than a support surface of the first support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the size of the contact region is smaller than 0.0001 m 2 .

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first support is configured for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first support includes a support element which is configured for movement along a longitudinal axis of the first support.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first control unit configured to control the robot; and
a second control unit configured to control the first support, the spindle and the first control unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robot is embodied as a lightweight robot.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robot has an arm portion length of less than 1 m.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robot has an arm portion length of less than 50 cm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the robot comprises an arm having a final arm piece to form an effector, and a workpiece receiving unit which is disposed on the effector.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the workpiece receiving unit comprises a suction cup for receiving the workpiece.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the workpiece receiving unit comprises a counter-bearing for stabilizing the workpiece.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spindle is rigid.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spindle includes an end piece which is movable along a spindle longitudinal axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the end piece of the spindle is configured for rotation about the spindle longitudinal axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spindle comprises a feed unit configured to automatically feed the connection element.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a camera and/or a visual sensor.

Assignees

• Siemens Ag

Inventors

• Brucksch Michael

Classifications

• F16B2/00 Primary

  Friction-grip releasable fastenings (for cables or ropes, e.g. cleats F16G11/00 ){(connections of rods or tubes, e.g. of non-circular section, mutually, including resilient connections F16B7/00)} · CPC title

• B23P19/06

  Screw or nut setting or loosening machines · CPC title

• B25J11/005 Primary

  Manipulators for mechanical processing tasks · CPC title

• B23P19/04

  for assembling or disassembling parts · CPC title

• B25J9/0096

  co-operating with a working support, e.g. work-table · CPC title