Mobile parts table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022347831-A1
Application number	US-202217731092-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 27, 2022
Priority date	Apr 30, 2021
Publication date	Nov 3, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A parts table may comprise a structure including a first surface, a base including a platform affixed to the structure, and kinematic couplers secured to the base and configured to dock with complementary kinematic couplers of an alignment structure, the alignment structure being secured to a floor of an assembly cell, the first surface including a parts interface configured to hold a plurality of parts for assembly in the assembly cell, such that each part of the plurality of parts can be picked up by a robot of the assembly cell when the parts table is docked with the alignment structure, and the parts table is movable to a new location when the kinematic couplers are undocked from the alignment structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A parts table, comprising:
a structure including a first surface; a base including a platform affixed to the structure; and kinematic couplers secured to the base and configured to dock with complementary kinematic couplers of an alignment structure, the alignment structure being secured to a floor of an assembly cell, wherein the first surface includes a parts interface configured to hold a plurality of parts for assembly in the assembly cell, such that each part of the plurality of parts can be picked up by a robot of the assembly cell when the parts table is docked with the alignment structure, and wherein the parts table is movable to a new location when the kinematic couplers are undocked from the alignment structure.

2 . The parts table of claim 1 , further comprising a frame coupled to the structure and to the base, the frame configured to stabilize the structure.

3 . The parts table of claim 1 , wherein the base includes spaced-apart elongated members to which the kinematic couplers are secured.

4 . The parts table of claim 1 , wherein:
the base includes an interior region configured to accommodate entry of an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) inside the interior region; and at least one edge of the platform includes a latch for engaging with the AGV when the AGV is inside the interior region of the base.

5 . The parts table of claim 4 , wherein a lower surface of the platform includes a part retention device for mating with a complementary retention device on the AGV when an upper surface of the AGV is raised upward toward the platform.

6 . The parts table of claim 1 , further comprising a utility coupler interface connected to the base and configured to engage with a utility system interface connected to the alignment structure, to receive any one or more of power, data communications, or pneumatics for use at the parts table.

7 . The parts table of claim 4 , wherein the AGV, when engaged with the parts table, uses a detector to locate at least one docking target extending upward from a base plate of the alignment structure, the base plate connected to a floor surface, wherein the AGV enters the alignment structure between two prong-like members extending laterally outward from the base plate of the alignment structure, such that the two prong-like members form a gap for the AGV to enter, the AGV being further movably guided by a plurality of guide rollers coupled along an inner edge of each prong-like member to position and engage the kinematic couplers with the complementary kinematic couplers.

8 . The parts table of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of universal part interfaces connected to the parts interface, wherein each universal part interface of the plurality of universal part interfaces is configured to hold one of a plurality of differently-shaped parts.

9 . The parts table of claim 8 , wherein each universal part interface of the plurality of universal part interfaces includes a lever configured to tilt on a first axis to a second position at which a part being held is at a different orientation.

10 . The parts table of claim 1 , wherein the parts interface comprises a mating feature configured to engage with a complementary mating feature of each part of the plurality of parts.

11 . The parts table of claim 10 , wherein the mating feature includes at least a pin or a ball bearing.

12 . The parts table of claim 1 , wherein the parts interface comprises a compliance interface.

13 . A parts table, comprising:
a structure, the structure configured with a plurality of sides for holding parts; a plurality of universal part interfaces connected with each side of the plurality of sides of the structure, each part interface in the plurality of universal part interfaces being configured to hold a plurality of differently-shaped parts for assembly in an assembly cell; and a base connected with the structure, the base configured to rotate the structure to a first position at which a first side of the plurality of sides is accessible to a robot of the assembly cell and to rotate the structure to a second position at which a second side of the plurality of sides is accessible to the robot.

14 . The parts table of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of sides of the structure comprises three sides, the three sides facing different directions.

15 . The parts table of claim 13 , wherein each part interface of the plurality of universal part interfaces is connected with a respective side of the plurality of sides via a support configured to rotate the universal part interface to a second position at which a first part is at a first orientation.

16 . The parts table of claim 13 , wherein each part interface of the plurality of universal part interfaces is connected to a lever configured to tilt on a first axis to a third position at which a first part is at a second orientation.

17 . The parts table of claim 13 , wherein each part interface of the plurality of universal part interfaces comprises one or more mating features configured to engage with one or more complementary mating features of each of the plurality of differently-shaped parts.

18 . The parts table of claim 17 , wherein the one or more mating features includes at least a pin or a ball bearing.

19 . The parts table of claim 13 , further comprising:
a table post connected to the base, wherein the table post is connected to a kinematic coupler, and the kinematic coupler is configured to couple with a fixture on a floor proximate to the assembly cell via kinematic coupling.

20 . The parts table of claim 13 , further comprising:
one or more latches connected to a frame, the frame connected to the base, the one or more latches configured to engage with an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) in response to the AGV contacting the parts table.

21 . A parts table comprising:
a structure configured with a plurality of sides; and a plurality of posts located on the structure and including a first post located on a first side of the plurality of sides of the structure, and further including a second post located on a second side of the plurality of sides of the structure, the first post comprising a first universal part interface, the second post comprising a second universal part interface, and each of the first universal part interface and the second universal part interface being configured to engage with multiple types of parts and being further configured to provide access to at least one of the multiple types of parts for a set of robots when positioned toward an assembly cell that includes the set of robots.

22 . The parts table of claim 21 , comprising:
a base connected with the structure, the base configured to rotate the structure to a first position at which the first universal part interface is positioned toward the assembly cell at a first angle to provide access to one of the multiple types of parts for at least one robot of the set of robots.

23 . The parts table of claim 22 , wherein the second universal part interface is positioned toward the assembly cell at a second angle to provide access to another of the multiple types of parts for at least one other robot of the set of robots.

24 . The parts table of claim 23 , wherein the first post comprises a first support, and a first lever, the first lever connected with the first support, the first lever connected with the first un

Assignees

• Divergent Tech Inc

Inventors

• Jeon Patrick Minwoo
• Gallagher Jason Vincent
• Burokas Vincent Arunas
• Czinger Lukas Philip

Classifications

• B25H1/04 Primary

  portable · CPC title

• B25H1/10

  with provision for adjusting holders for tool or work · CPC title

• B64F5/10

  Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor · CPC title

• B23P21/00

  Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with program control · CPC title

• B62D65/022

  Transferring or handling sub-units or components, e.g. in work stations or between workstations and transportation systems · CPC title