Device and method for transferring elastomer blocks

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12214976-B2
Application number	US-202118036279-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 8, 2021
Priority date	Nov 16, 2020
Publication date	Feb 4, 2025
Grant date	Feb 4, 2025

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a device for the automated transfer of an elastomeric block between a first position, where it is installed on a flexible support, and a second position. The device comprises a gripper that is able to take hold of the block and a manipulator that is able to move and orient the gripper so as to set the block in motion.The disclosure also relates to a method for running such a device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for the automated transfer of an elastomeric block between a first position, where it is installed on a flexible support, and a second position, comprising a gripper that is able to take hold of the block and a manipulator that is able to move and orient the gripper so as to set the block in motion, it also comprises a means for maintaining the position of the support during a movement of the elastomeric block, the means for maintaining the position of the support including a linear actuator with an arm that has a device for bearing on the flexible support, and a means for returning the flexible support into position, comprising a device for blowing air in the direction of the flexible support to blow air towards the flexible support to return the flexible support into position, the device including at least two nozzles that are oriented in different directions.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible support has a rectangular shape, and the position-maintaining means are positioned above at least two corners of the flexible support.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible support is a non-stick support.

4. The device according to claim 1 , comprising a means for automating at least one of the position-maintaining means and the position-returning means.

5. A system for transferring blocks, having a plurality of elastomeric blocks installed on a flexible support of rectangular shape, and a transfer device according to claim 1 .

6. A method for running a system according to claim 5 , the method comprising:
at least one step of gripping and lifting an elastomeric block positioned on the support,
at least one step of activating the position-maintaining means over a corner of the support,
at least one other step of gripping and lifting an elastomeric block, which is repeated as many times as the number of blocks positioned initially on the support, minus one.

7. The running method according to claim 6 , comprising another step of activating the position-maintaining means over another corner of the support.

8. The running method according to claim 6 , also comprising a step of activating position-returning means.

9. A device for the automated transfer of an elastomeric block between a first position, where the elastomeric block is installed on a flexible support, and a second position, the device comprising:
a gripper that is able to take hold of the block;
a manipulator that is able to move and orient the gripper so as to set the block in motion;
the manipulator further including a linear actuator for maintaining the position of the support during a movement of the elastomeric block and at least two nozzles that are oriented in different directions and are configured to blow air towards the flexible support to return the flexible support into position.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator is configured to exert a force normal to the surface of the flexible support.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the manipulator also includes an arm installed on the linear actuator, the arm having a device for bearing on the flexible support.

12. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible support has a rectangular shape, and the manipulator is positioned above at least two corners of the flexible support.

13. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the flexible support is a non-stick support.

14. The device according to claim 9 , further comprising a means for automating at least one of the position-maintaining means and the position-returning means.

Assignees

• Michelin & Cie

Inventors

• Trabattoni Thomas
• Drago Frédéric

Classifications

• B25J15/00

  Gripping heads {and other end effectors (grippers used in machine tools B23Q7/04; gripping members fitted on cranes B66C1/42, B66C1/44; gripping means used for mounting electrical components H05K13/04; gripping means used in the manufacture of semiconductors H10P72/7602)} · CPC title

• B65G59/02

  De-stacking from the top of the stack · CPC title

• B65G59/00

  De-stacking of articles (B65G60/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65G61/00 Primary

  Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B65G59/005 Primary

  by using insertions or spacers between the stacked layers · CPC title