Fastener applying apparatus and fastener applying method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9789531-B2
Application number	US-201314437725-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2013
Priority date	Nov 1, 2012
Publication date	Oct 17, 2017
Grant date	Oct 17, 2017

Abstract

A fastener applying apparatus includes: an insertion mechanism for inserting a fastener into a fastener hole in an object to be fastened; a support mechanism for supporting the insertion mechanism; and a fastener conveying device for conveying the fastener to the insertion mechanism. The insertion mechanism includes a holding portion for holding a shank portion of the fastener. The fastener conveying device includes a gripping portion for gripping the fastener in a axial direction of the fastener.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fastener applying apparatus comprising:
an insertion mechanism configured to insert a fastener into a fastener hole in an object to be fastened;
a support mechanism configured to support the insertion mechanism;
an imaging device configured to image the fastener hole and supported by the support mechanism such that the imaging device and the insertion mechanism are disposed on a same axis;
a fastener conveying device configured to convey the fastener to the insertion mechanism; and
a control unit,
wherein the insertion mechanism includes
a holding portion configured to hold a shank portion of the fastener,
a feeding device movably supported by the support mechanism so as to be movable along a first direction,
a fastener support member configured to support the fastener and supported by the feeding device, and
an alignment unit comprising a plurality of first elastic members arranged along a plane between the feeding device and the fastener support member, configured to support the fastener support member such that the fastener support member is movable along a first plane perpendicular to the first direction, the imaging device is surrounded by the plurality of first elastic members,

the fastener conveying device includes a gripping portion configured to grip the fastener in an axial direction of the fastener, and
the control unit controls the insertion mechanism and the fastener conveying device such that the gripping portion releases the fastener after the holding portion holds the fastener.

2. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion mechanism further comprises a second elastic member supported by the feeding device and configured to support the fastener support member,
wherein the second elastic member is supported such that the fastener support member is elastically movable with respect to the feeding device.

3. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping portion comprises:
a first gripping portion configured to come in contact with a first end of the fastener; and
a second gripping portion configured to come in contact with a second end of the fastener,
wherein the gripping portion is turnable such that a vertical relationship between the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion can be reversed upside down.

4. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a shelf plate having a plurality of notches and configured to store a plurality of the fasteners over the plurality of notches, respectively.

5. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an impact force applying mechanism supported by the support mechanism and configured to apply impact force to the inserted fastener,
wherein the insertion mechanism is configured to insert the fastener by moving the fastener along an insertion axis parallel to the first direction,
wherein the impact force applying mechanism is configured to move along a driving axis parallel to the first direction and impinge on the inserted fastener so as to apply the impact force,
wherein the support mechanism includes a moving mechanism configured to move the insertion mechanism and the impact force applying mechanism along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether or not to stop applying the impact force by the impact force applying mechanism.

7. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the impact force applying mechanism comprises a stroke amount detecting mechanism configured to detect a stroke amount when the impact force is applied to the inserted fastener,
wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether or not to stop applying the impact force based on the detected stroke amount.

8. The fastener applying apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a time measuring device configured to measure an impact force applying period during which the impact force is applied by the impact force applying mechanism,
wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether or not to stop applying the impact force based on the measured results by the time measuring device.

Assignees

• Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Ikeda Yusuke

Classifications

• B29C66/721

  Fibre-reinforced materials (B29C66/729 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B29C66/86533

  by rails · CPC title

• B29C65/562

  using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined (using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601) · CPC title

• B21J15/32 Primary

  Devices for inserting or holding rivets in position with or without feeding arrangements · CPC title

• Y10T29/53091

  for work-holder for assembly or disassembly · CPC title