Reconfigurable interface assembly, adaptable assembly line work-piece processor, and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9700976-B2
Application number	US-201314087999-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2013
Priority date	Feb 15, 2013
Publication date	Jul 11, 2017
Grant date	Jul 11, 2017

Abstract

A reconfigurable interface assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first sub-assembly that is adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter. The first sub-assembly includes a first brake. The reconfigurable interface assembly further includes a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator. The second sub-assembly includes a second brake. The first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the first sub-assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A reconfigurable interface assembly for use in a manufacturing environment, the reconfigurable interface assembly comprising:
a first sub-assembly adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter, the first sub-assembly including a first brake; and
a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly, the second sub-assembly being adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator, the second sub-assembly including a second brake;
wherein the first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly,
wherein the second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly, and
wherein the first brake comprises a first pneumatic brake and wherein the second brake comprises a second pneumatic brake.

2. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first motor configured to move the second sub-assembly in the first direction and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second motor configured to move the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

3. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first screw-drive mechanism configured to move the second sub-assembly in the first direction and the first motor is configured to actuate the first screw-drive mechanism, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second screw-drive mechanism configured to move the first sub-assembly in the second direction and the second motor is configured to actuate the second screw-drive mechanism.

4. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first rail configured to guide movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a second rail configured to guide movement of the work-piece manipulator in the second direction.

5. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 4 wherein the first brake is configured to engage the first rail to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly, and wherein the second brake is configured to engage the second rail to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly.

6. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sub-assembly includes a first rail and a second rail aligned substantially parallel to the first rail, the first rail and the second rail cooperating to guide movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction, and wherein the second sub-assembly includes a third rail and a fourth rail aligned substantially parallel to the third rail, the third rail and the fourth rail cooperating to guide movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

7. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first sub-assembly is configured to cause linear translation of the second sub-assembly in the first direction and wherein the second sub-assembly is configured to cause linear translation of the first sub-assembly in the second direction.

8. The reconfigurable interface assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially transverse to one another.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Gao Dalong
• Ransom Lance T
• Janis Richard C
• Smith Rodney L

Classifications

• Y10T29/53974

  having means to permit support movement while work is thereon · CPC title

• B23Q1/621 Primary

  a single sliding pair followed perpendicularly by a single sliding pair · CPC title

• B25B5/062

  with clamping means pivoting around an axis parallel to the pressing direction · CPC title

• B23Q3/062

  adapted for holding workpieces having a special form or being made from a special material · CPC title

• B25B5/006

  Supporting devices for clamps · CPC title