Robot-mounted lamp assembly for curing paint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12403612-B2
Application number	US-202318095423-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 10, 2023
Priority date	Jan 10, 2023
Publication date	Sep 2, 2025
Grant date	Sep 2, 2025

Abstract

A robotic system is provided. The robot system includes a robot arm, a lamp assembly, and a control module. The robot arm includes a first end and a second end that opposes the first end. The lamp assembly is disposed at the second end of the robot arm and includes at least one ultraviolet (UV) light that is configured to cure paint on a panel of a vehicle. The control module is configured to actuate the robot arm and position the lamp assembly relative to the panel of the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A robotic system comprising:
a robot arm including a first end and a second end that opposes the first end;
a paint applicator disposed at the second end of the robot arm and configured to output paint onto a panel of a vehicle;
a rail attached to the paint applicator and extending away from the paint applicator; and
a lamp assembly configured to slide along the rail and that includes at least one UV light operable to cure paint on the panel of the vehicle; and
a control module configured to actuate the robot arm and position the paint applicator relative to the panel of the vehicle and position the lamp assembly relative to the panel of the vehicle.

2. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to slide the lamp assembly along the rail.

3. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to pivot the lamp assembly relative to the rail.

4. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to selectively move the lamp assembly toward the rail and away from the rail.

5. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the lamp assembly includes a distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the lamp assembly and the panel of the vehicle.

6. The robotic system of claim 5 , wherein the control module is configured to move the lamp assembly one of toward the rail and away from the rail based on the distance measured by the distance sensor.

7. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the lamp assembly includes a lamp cover disposed annularly around the at least one UV light.

8. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV light includes a plurality of UV lights having a same wavelength.

9. The robotic system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV light includes a plurality of UV lights having more than one different wavelength.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Zhao Xiang
• Fan Hua-Tzu
• Spicer John Patrick
• Isrow Marcel James
• Albaugh Lisa M

Classifications

• B25J15/0066

  with different types of end effectors, e.g. gripper and welding gun (B25J15/0057 and B25J15/0061 take precedence) · CPC title

• B25J9/1684

  Tracking a line or surface by means of sensors · CPC title

• B05D3/067 Primary

  Curing or cross-linking the coating · CPC title

• B25J15/0019 Primary

  End effectors other than grippers · CPC title

• B25J11/0075 Primary

  Manipulators for painting or coating · CPC title