A mover of a guide rail system

Abstract

A mover of a guide rail system, the mover comprising: a mover body having a main section extending in a plane parallel to a guide rail of the guide rail system; wherein the main section of the mover body comprises a bearing surface configured to be in contact with a tool base of the guide rail system and a cavity extending from the bearing surface in a direction transverse to the plane through the main section of the mover body; a lock assembly attached to the main section of the mover body; wherein the lock assembly comprises a receiver having a body wall and a receiving space at least partially surrounded by the body wall; wherein the receiving space is lined up with the cavity of the main section of the mover body; and a clip configured to be moved in a direction parallel to the plane between a lock position where the clip is at least partially positioned within the receiving space and an unlocked position where the clip is spaced apart from the receiving space.

Description

[0001] A MOVER OF A GUIDE RAIL SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a mover of a guide rail system, and especially to a mover comprising a lock assembly.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Guide rail systems are commonly used in production lines, e.g. for manufacturing or assembling, especially a production line with automation equipment, such as manufacturing robots. Such guide rail systems commonly comprise a plurality of movers and a guide rail; the plurality of movers can be controlled and / or moved independently of one another on a transfer path. The plurality of movers is arranged on and linearly travels along the guide rail, such as known from prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,876,896; U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,720; and U.S. Pat. No. 10,196,073.

[0006] The mover of the guide rail system is configured to be attached to a tool base. The tool base is configured to be immovably attached with a toolset or components of products that need to be moved in the guide rail system. In a production line, the manufacturing robots may be arranged near the guide rail and configured to interact with the toolset of the tool base, components that are gripped by the tool set or the components that are carried by the tool base. The movers linearly travel along the guide rail and pass by each one of the manufacturing robots. When each mover passes by each of the manufacturing robots, the manufacturing robots may take a component from the tool base, put another component on the tool base, or attach a component to a component on the tool base.

[0007] For manufacturing different products, the tool sets need to be changed. As the movers usually are attached to the guide rail in a manner that the movers can only move along the guide rail, it is more difficult to change the mover together with the tool base for changing the toolset. Thus, the most common way of doing so is detaching the tool base with one toolset / no tool set from the mover and attaching another tool base with a different toolset to the same mover. However, there is still a demand to shorten the time required to change the toolset.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The invention is defined by the appended claims, to which reference should now be made. There is hence provided a mover of a guide rail system, the mover comprising: a mover body having a main section extending in a XY-plane parallel to a guide rail of the guide rail system; wherein the main section of the mover body comprises a bearing surface configured to be in contact with a tool base of the guide rail system and a cavity extending from the bearing surface in a direction transverse to the XY- plane through the main section of the mover body; a lock assembly attached to the main section of the mover body; wherein the lock assembly comprises a receiver having a body wall and a receiving space at least partially surrounded by the body wall; wherein the receiving space is lined up with the cavity of the main section of the mover body; and a clip configured to be moved in a direction parallel to the XY- plane between a lock position where the clip is at least partially positioned within the receiving space and an unlock position where the clip is spaced apart from the receiving space such that when a part of the tool base is positioned in the receiving space the part of the tool base can be fixed to the mover body by being clamped by the clip.

[0010] According to one embodiment, an opening is arranged in the body wall of the receiver; wherein the clip is configured to be moved through the opening towards the lock position.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the lock assembly comprises a handle operably connected to the clip.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the handle is configured to be pivoted relative to the body wall of the receiver such that the clip is operably moved between the lock position and the unlock position by the handle.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the lock assembly comprises a rotator having a body rotatable about the body wall of the receiver between a first position and a second position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the clip is adjacent to the body of the rotator in the direction parallel to the XY plane.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the body of the rotator comprises a support surface facing towards the receiving space. According to one embodiment, the support surface is configured to move the clip into the receiving space when the rotator is rotated from the first position to the second position.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the clip is resilient.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the mover comprises a support plate attached to the mover body.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the lock assembly is sandwiched between the support plate and the main section of the mover body.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the handle is attached to the rotator such that the pivot of the handle results in the rotation of the rotator.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the mover body comprises a slot extending in the direction parallel to the XY plane.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the handle comprises a user-accessible section extending through the slot.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the handle is attached to the rotator via a form-fit fastener.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the clip comprises a pin or ball.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the mover body comprises a first side section extending from the main section in the direction transverse to the XY-plane.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the first side section is configured to be attached to a bearing of the guide rail system.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the tool base is configured to be releasably attached to the mover according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the tool base comprises a pin extending towards the main section of the mover body and configured to be positioned at least partially in the cavity of the main body. According to one embodiment, the pin comprises a holding section positioned in the receiving space of the receiver when the tool base is placed on the bearing surface of the main section of the mover body.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the holding section of the pin is a recess opening in the direction parallel to the XY-plane.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the holding section of the pin is lined up with the opening of the body wall of the receiver when the tool base is placed on the bearing surface of the main section of the mover body.

[0030] Furthermore, another aspect of the disclosure provides a lock assembly comprising: a receiver having a body wall and a receiving space at least partially surrounded by the body wall. The receiving space is lined up with the cavity of the main section of the mover body. A clip configured to be moved in a direction transverse to the body wall between a lock position where the clip is at least partially positioned within the receiving space and an unlocked position where the clip is spaced apart from the receiving space.

[0031] According to one embodiment, an opening is arranged in the body wall of the receiver; and wherein the clip is configured to be moved through the opening towards the lock position.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the lock assembly comprises a handle operably connected to the clip.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the handle is configured to be pivoted relative to the body wall of the receiver such that the clip is operably moved by the handle between the lock position and the unlock position by the handle.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the lock assembly comprises a rotator having a body rotatable about the body wall of the receiver between a first position and a second position.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the clip is adjacent to the body of the rotator in the direction parallel to the XY-plane; wherein the body of the rotator comprises a support surface facing towards the receiving space. According to one embodiment, the support surface is configured to move the clip into the receiving space when the rotator is rotated from the first position to the second position.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the clip is resilient.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the handle is attached to the rotator such that the pivot of the handle results in the rotation of the rotator.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the handle is attached to the rotator via a form-fit fastener.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the clip comprises a pin or ball.

[0040] According to one embodiment, an opening is arranged in the handle; and wherein the opening is configured to be connected to a manufacturing tool such that the handle can be pivoted in a robotic system.

[0041] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0042] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Fig. 1A schematically shows a perspective view of a guide rail system with at least two movers and a guide rail in a production line;

[0045] Fig. 1B schematically shows a perspective view of a tool base of the guide rail system of Fig. 1A attached to the mover of Fig. 1A;

[0046] Figs 2-3 schematically show perspective views of the mover of Fig. 1B;

[0047] Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the tool base of Fig. 1B; and Figs 5-6 schematically show perspective views of a part of a lock assembly of the mover of Fig. 1B.

[0048] Figs 7-8 schematically show perspective views of a lock assembly used in different machine.

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Figs 1 A-6 illustrate a mover of a guide rail system. The mover 2 comprises a mover body 20 configured to be movably attached to the guide rail 1 via a bearing 24, as shown in Figs 2-3. Once the mover 2 is attached to the guide rail 1 , the mover 2 can be moved along the guide rail 1. The mover 2 may be driven by a motor, electromagnetic arrangement, or any other suitable way so that the mover 2 can be moved along the guide rail 1. The guide rail 1 extends in a direction of an X-axis, the mover 2 is configured to be placed on the guide rail 1 in the direction of the Z-axis and move along the guide rail 1. A Y-axis is defined to be perpendicular to an XZ plane, as shown in Fig. 1B.

[0051] The mover 2 is configured to carrier a tool base 3. The tool base 3 is configured to be attached with a tool set and / or a component C1 , C2 of a product, as shown in Fig. 1 B. The guide rail system usually comprises a plurality of movers and a plurality of tool bases. In the guide rail system, it is common that all movers, or most of the movers are identical; on the other hand, it is common that different tool bases are included in the guide rail system. Commonly, the tool base is integral to the toolset or being fixed to the toolset. In other words, tool bases are usually served as conjunctive elements between the movers and toolsets. Thus, as the toolsets are varied and dependent on products to be manufactured by the guide rail system, the tool bases are usually different according to the tool sets.

[0052] Fig. 2 shows the mover 2 comprises the mover body 20 having a main section 20a extending in an XY-plane parallel to a guide rail 1 of the guide rail system. The main section 20a of the mover body 20 comprises a bearing surface 20b configured to be in contact with the tool base 3 of the guide rail system and a cavity 20c extending from the bearing surface 20b in a direction transverse to the XY-plane through the main section 20a of the mover body 20. A lock assembly 21 is attached to the main section 20 of the mover body 20. The lock assembly 21 comprises a receiver 21 a having a body wall 21b and a receiving space 21 h at least partially surrounded by the body wall 21b. The receiving space 21 h is lined up with the cavity 20c of the main section 20a of the mover body 20. The lock assembly 21 comprises further comprises a clip 21c configured to be moved in a direction parallel to the XY-plane between a lock position where the clip 21c is at least partially positioned within the receiving space 21 h and an unlocked position where the clip 21c is spaced apart from the receiving space 21 h, as shown in Fig. 5. As a result, when a part, e.g., a pin, of the tool base is positioned in the receiving space the part of the tool base can be fixed to the mover body by being clamped by the clip.

[0053] The tool base 3 comprises a pin 31 (being the part of the tool base 3 that is configured to be received within the receiving section of the lock assembly as mentioned above) extending towards the main section 20a of the mover body 20 and configured to be positioned at least partially in the cavity 20c of the main body 20a. The pin 31 comprises a holding section 31a positioned in the receiving space

[0054] 21 h of the receiver 21a when the tool base 3 is placed on the bearing surface 20b of the main section 20a of the mover body 20. The holding section 31a is configured to be clamped by the clip 21c when the clip 21c is in the lock position. Preferably, in one example as shown in Fig. 4, the holding section 31a of the pin 3 is a recess opening in the direction parallel to the XY-plane. In this example, the clip 21c is configured to be positioned within the holding section 31a. As a result, the tool base 3 is fixed to the mover body 20 both by the press-fit generated by the clip 21c and the form-fit between the clip 21c and the holding section 31a. Alternatively, or additionally, the holding section 31a comprises a surface that can generate high friction, e.g., a rubber surface or abrasive surface.

[0055] In one example, an opening 21 i is arranged in the body wall 21b of the receiver 21a. In this example, the clip 21c is configured to be moved through the opening 21 i towards the lock position. In this example, the body wall 21 b provides a position support for the pin 31 of the tool base 3. In a preferred example, the holding section 31a of the pin 31 is lined up with the opening 21 i of the body wall 21 b of the receiver 21a when the tool base 3 is placed on the bearing surface 20b of the main section 20a of the mover body 20.

[0056] In another example, as shown in Figs 2-3, the lock assembly 21 comprises a handle

[0057] 22 operably connected to the clip 21c. The handle 22 is configured to be pivoted relative to the body wall 21 b of the receiver 21a such that the clip 21c is operably moved between the lock position and the unlock position by the handle 22. In one example, the mover body 20 comprises a slot 20d extending in the direction parallel to the XY-plane. The handle 22 comprises a user-accessible section 22c extending through the slot 20d. In this example, a user, e.g., an operator in the production line or an engineer, can easily move the clip 21c between the lock position and the unlock position to detach from the mover 2 or attach the tool base 3 to the mover 2. Furthermore, a manufacturing robot can also be programmed to move the handle to thereby move the clip 21c between the lock position and the unlock position; in this example, the tool base 3 can be changed by another manufacturing robot. In a preferred example, an opening 22d is arranged in the handle 22c, as shown in Fig. 2. The opening 22d is configured to be connected to a manufacturing tool such that the handle can be pivoted in a robotic system. For example, a manufacturing robot in the robotic system is configured to move the handle to change the tool base 3 on the mover 2. For example, the opening 22d is configured to receive a pin of the manufacturing robot or a front tip of a gripper of the manufacturing robot. Thus, the clip 21c can be moved between the locked position and the unlocked position by using the manufacturing robot to hook the opening 22d, then moving either the manufacturing robot or the mover 2 to thereby moving the handles.

[0058] In another example, the lock assembly comprises 21 a rotator 21 e having a body rotatable about the body wall 21b of the receiver 21a between a first position and a second position. The clip 21c is adjacent to the body of the rotator 21 e in the direction parallel to the XY-plane. The body of the rotator 21 e comprises a support surface 21g facing towards the receiving space 21 h, as shown in Fig. 5. The support surface 21g is configured to move the clip 21c into the receiving space 21 h, as shown with arrows A in Fig. 5, when the rotator 21 e is rotated from the first position to the second position, as shown by the arrow R in Fig. 5. Preferably, the clip 21c is resilient, e.g., is made of rubber. In a preferred example, the clip 21c is a pin or ball as shown in Fig. 2.

[0059] In one example, the handle 22 is attached to the rotator 21 e such that the pivot of the handle 22 results in the rotation of the rotator 21 e. In one example, the handle 22 is attached to the rotator 21e via a form-fit fastener, as shown in Fig. 6. In this example, the handle 22 comprises a holding section 22a having an inner contour 22b adjacent to the outer contour of the body of the rotator 21 e. The inner contour 22b of the holding section 22a of the handle and the outer contour of the body of the rotator 21e are formed in a corresponding shape, e.g., both are in rectangular or square shape and snuggly fit to one another, such that the holding section 22a and the rotator are rotationally lock on the XY-plane. As a result, the rotator 21 e and the holding section 22a of the handle 22 is rotationally locked to one another.

[0060] Preferably, in another example, the mover 2 comprises a support plate 23 attached to the mover body 20. The lock assembly 21 is sandwiched between the support plate 23 and the main section 20a of the mover body 20, as shown in Fig. 2. In this example, the lock assembly 21 is attached to the mover body via the support plate 23. In this example, the handle 22 and the rotator 21 e are axially locked in the direction of the Z-axis by the support plate 23.

[0061] Furthermore, in another example, the mover body 20 comprises a first side section 20e extending from the main section 20a in the direction transverse to the XY-plane, as shown in Figs 2-3. The first side section 20e is configured to be attached to a bearing 24 of the guide rail system.

[0062] Optionally, some other components are provided for attaching above-mentioned component to the mover 2 or the tool base 3, or for controlling the movement of the mover and / or the tool base 3. For example, the receiver 21a comprises a tool base plate 21 d to connect the receiver 21a to the support plate 23. One or more fixtures 27 are provided between the lock assembly 21 and the mover body 20. In a preferred example, the fixtures 27 are one or more spring washer or disc springs. A control tool base 26, 25 can be attached to the first side section 20e of the mover 2 to facilitate the connection between the mover 2 and the guide rail. For example, the control tool base 26 may comprise a magnetic component. The tool base 3 may provide one or more fixture 30c configured to be removably attached to one or more tools. In a preferred example, the tool base comprises an upper body 30a configured to be in contact with tools and a lower body 30b configured to be in contact with the bearing surface 20b of the mover body 20. The tool base 3 can further provide one or more support pin 32, preferably, being rotatable around the Y- axis to facilitate the movement of the tool base 3 in the guide rail system.

[0063] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a lock assembly 21 comprising the receiver 21a having the body wall 21 b and a receiving space 21 h at least partially surrounded by the body wall 21 b. The receiving space 21 h is lined up with the cavity 20c of the main section 20a of the mover body 20; and a clip 21 c configured to be moved in a direction transverse to the body wall 21 b between a lock position where the clip 21c is at least partially positioned within the receiving space 21 h and an unlocked position where the clip is spaced apart from the receiving space 21 h. It should be noted that as the mentioned components of the lock assembly in this aspect are generally the same in the above-mentioned examples. It won’t be repeated in this aspect. In this aspect, the lock assembly 21 is a standalone assembly configured to be attached to the mover or other tools, as shown in Figs 7- 8. For example, the lock assembly 2T is used in a testing machine. In one example, the testing machine may comprise a pillar 9 having a track 9a, a plate 6 attached to the pillar 9 via an arm 7 being movable along the track 9a. In this example, the lock assembly 2T is attached to the plate 6, e.g., by the support plate 23a’, 23b’. In this example, a testing tool 4 can be exchangeably attached to the plate 6 via the lock assembly 2T, as shown in Fig. 7. Similarly, the plate 6’ can be immovably attached to the pillar 9’ via a fixture 7’, e.g., multiple screws. In this example, a testing tool 4’ can be placed on the plate 6’ and be further secured by the lock assembly 2T on the opposite side of the plate 6’, as shown in Fig. 8.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mover (2) of a guide rail system, the mover comprising: a mover body (20) having a main section (20a) extending in an XY-plane parallel to a guide rail of the guide rail system; wherein the main section (20a) of the mover body (20) comprises a bearing surface (20b) configured to be in contact with a tool base (3) of the guide rail system and a cavity (20c) extending from the bearing surface (20b) in a direction transverse to the XY-plane through the main section (20a) of the mover body (20); a lock assembly (21) attached to the main section (20a) of the mover body (20); wherein the lock assembly (21) comprises a receiver (21a) having a body wall (21b) and a receiving space (21h) at least partially surrounded by the body wall (21b); wherein the receiving space (21h) is lined up with the cavity (20c) of the main section (20a) of the mover body (20); and a clip (21c) configured to be moved in a direction parallel to the XY- plane between a lock position where the clip (21c) is at least partially positioned within the receiving space (21h) and an unlocked position where the clip is spaced apart from the receiving space (21 h) such that when a part of the tool base (3) is positioned in the receiving space the part of the tool base (3) can be fixed to the mover body by being clamped by the clip (21c).

2. The mover according to claim 1 , wherein an opening is arranged in the body wall of the receiver; and wherein the clip is configured to be moved through the opening towards the lock position.

3. The mover according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the lock assembly comprises a handle operably connected to the clip; wherein the handle is configured to be pivoted relative to the body wall of the receiver such that the clip is operably moved by the handle between the lock position and the unlock position by the handle.

4. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock assembly comprises a rotator having a body rotatable about the body wall of the receiver between a first position and a second position; wherein the clipis adjacent to the body of the rotator in the direction parallel to the XY-plane; wherein the body of the rotator comprises a support surface facing towards the receiving space; and wherein the support surface is configured to move the clip into the receiving space when the rotator is rotated from the first position to the second position.

5. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip is resilient.

6. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mover comprises a support plate attached to the mover body; and wherein the lock assembly is sandwiched between the support plate and the main section of the mover body.

7. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claims 3 and 4, wherein the handle is attached to the rotator such that the pivot of the handle results in the rotation of the rotator.

8. The mover according to claim 7, wherein the mover body comprises a slot extending in the direction parallel to the XY-plane; and wherein the handle comprises a user-accessible section extending through the slot.

9. The mover according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the handle is attached to the rotator via a form-fit fastener.

10. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 4, wherein the clip comprises a pin or ball.

11. The mover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mover body comprises a first side section extending from the main section in the direction transverse to the XY-plane; and wherein the first side section is configured to be attached to a bearing of the guide rail system.

12. The mover according to any one of claims 3-11, wherein an opening is arranged in the handle; and wherein the opening is configured to be connected to a manufacturing tool such that the handle can be pivoted in a robotic system.

13. A tool base of a guide rail system, wherein the tool base is configured to be releasably attached to the mover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool base comprises a pin extending towards the main section of the mover body and configured to be positioned at least partially in the cavity of the main body; and wherein the pin comprises a holding section positioned in the receiving space of the receiver when the tool base is placed on the bearing surface of the main section of the mover body.

14. The tool base according to claim 12, wherein the holding section of the pin is a recess opening in the direction parallel to the XY-plane.

15. The tool base according to claim 12 or 13 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the holding section of the pin is lined up with the opening of the body wall of the receiver when the tool base is placed on the bearing surface of the main section of the mover body.

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