Assembly apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for making assemblies (1) of the type comprising a first component (2) and a second component (4) mutually fixed via glue is described. said apparatus comprising: - a transport line (20) comprising a guide (21) extending along a transport path (K), closed in a loop, and a plurality of units (22) mobile on the guide (21) along the transport path (K), wherein said transport line (20) is configured so that said mobile units (22) are movable independently along the transport path (K); - a first and a second pickup device (30, 40) for picking up, respectively, the first components and the second components from pickup stations and placing them on the mobile units (22) of the transport line; and - a glue dispensing device (60) configured to dispense glue on the first and second components (2, 4) placed on the mobile units (22) of said transport line (20), so as to mutually fix each second component (4) to the respective first component (2).

Description

[0001] "Assembly Apparatus"

[0002] ****

[0003] DESCRIPTION TEXT

[0004] Field and object of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an apparatus for making assemblies formed by a first and a second component.

[0006] Various types of machines capable of automatically assembling a series of components to make a complex product are known in the art.

[0007] Such machines may have a transport line along which mobile units travel and a series of component manipulation devices, arranged along the transport line; the mobile units are moved to bring themselves, each, to the various manipulation devices and the complex product is built directly on the mobile units as the various manipulation devices intervene on them.

[0008] Usually, the assembly operations of the components provided in such machines require performing the snap-fitting of the components or their fixing via fixing members such as screws or equivalent members for the rapid fixing of components.

[0009] The use of glue to fix two components together constitutes an alternative mode which can be advantageous in some applications, for example because it simplifies the structure of the components, provided that these do not need, in this case, portions specifically designed to achieve a snap-fit coupling or to receive fixing means.

[0010] In this context, the present invention relates to an apparatus for making assemblies of the type comprising a first and a second component mutually fixed via glue.

[0011] In general, the present invention relates to an apparatus according to claim 1.

[0012] The claims form an integral part of the teachings provided herein.

[0013] Detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, with reference to the annexed drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0015] - figure 1 schematically represents a preferred embodiment of the apparatus described herein; - figure 2 illustrates an example of an assembly made with the apparatus of figure 1;

[0016] - figure 3 schematically illustrates an example of a mobile unit used in the apparatus described herein.

[0017] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be made without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components or materials etc. In other instances, known material structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiment.

[0018] The references used herein are for convenience only and thus do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0019] As anticipated above, the apparatus described herein performs the function of making assemblies of the type comprising a first and a second component mutually fixed via glue.

[0020] The preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1 operates in particular to make an assembly 1 as shown in figure 2, comprising a lower component 2 and an upper component 4. The lower component 2 has a plan width greater than the upper component 4, and the latter is arranged on the lower component 2 in a central position; glue points 6 fix the two components 2 and 4 together.

[0021] With reference to figure 1, the apparatus illustrated therein, overall indicated by the reference number 10, comprises a transport line 20 comprising a guide 21 extending along a transport path K, closed in a loop, and a plurality of mobile units 22 that move on the guide 21 along the transport path K.

[0022] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the transport line 20 is configured so that the mobile units 22 are movable independently of one another along the transport path K.

[0023] Preferably, the transport line 20 is made according to a linear electric motor configuration such that respective permanent magnets are carried on the mobile units 22, while a series of windings is arranged on the guide 21 which is distributed along the transport path K; the windings are electrically powered in an appropriate maimer to move the mobile units 22 along the transport path K by effect of the electromagnetic interaction between the electrically powered windings and the permanent magnets arranged on the mobile units 22.

[0024] Each mobile unit 22 comprises a seat 22A for receiving a component 2.

[0025] In one or more preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the guide 21 has a vertical configuration such that it comprises a first upper horizontal section 21A and a second lower horizontal section (not visible in the figure) placed below the section 21A and aligned with it so as to define a common vertical geometric plane passing through both sections; the guide 21 further comprises two curved sections 21C, 2 ID which are respectively positioned at the opposite ends of the two horizontal sections and connect the same horizontal sections together.

[0026] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a first device 30 for picking up a component 2 from a pickup station 102 positioned adjacent to the transport line 20, and for positioning this component 2 inside the seat 22A of a mobile unit 22 that has moved into a zone R1 of the section 21 A of the guide 21.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the pickup station 102 is defined by the terminal end of a conveyor 100 configured to feed a longitudinal row of components 2, extending along the same feeding direction of the components 2 by the conveyor 100.

[0028] The device 30 can comprise a robotic arm 32, which carries an end effector constituted by a gripping unit configured to grip the components 2. The gripping unit can, for example, operate by suction and, for this purpose, be connected to an air suction system. Alternatively, the gripping unit can comprise a gripper or equivalent mechanical gripping means.

[0029] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 further comprises a second device 40 for picking up a pair of components 4 from a second pickup station 202, also positioned adjacent to the transport line 20, and for positioning this pair of components 4 on respective components 2 positioned on two different mobile units 22, which have moved into a zone R2 of the section 21 A of the guide 21, subsequent to the zone R1 with reference to the component feeding direction.

[0030] In the illustrated example, the second pickup station 202 is defined by the terminal end of a second conveyor 200 configured to feed a longitudinal row of components 4, extending along the same feeding direction of the components 4 by the conveyor 200.

[0031] In a per se known maimer, the conveyor 202 can in turn be served by a feeding system 400 configured to feed the components 4 to the conveyor 202 on trays 402, on which the components 4 are arranged in an orderly manner inside respective housings 402A that keep the components 4 separated from one another.

[0032] A pick and place device 404 can operate to break down the orderly formations of components 4 presented on the trays 402 and with them feed the longitudinal row of components 4 on the conveyor 200. The device 404 can for example comprise a gripping unit configured to simultaneously pick up a rank of components from a tray 402 and transfer it directly onto the conveyor 200.

[0033] Similarly to the device 30, the device 40 can also comprise a robotic arm 42, which carries an end effector constituted by a gripping unit configured to grip the components 4. In this case, the gripping unit is configured to grip two components 4 simultaneously. The gripping unit can be connected to an air suction system, to be able to operate by suction; alternatively, it can comprise grippers or equivalent mechanical gripping means.

[0034] In operation, the device 40 operates to deposit the two components 4 onto the respective components 2, in the predetermined central position, as shown in figure 2.

[0035] In order to prevent the components 4 from moving from this predetermined position before being fixed to the lower components 2 via gluing, the mobile units 22 are provided with a retaining device 22B activatable to engage the components 4 so as to hold them in said predetermined position (see figure 3).

[0036] Preferably, the retaining device 22B comprises at least one retaining member 22B' configured to press the component 4 against the lower component 2; the retaining member 22B' can be moved between an operative position and an inoperative position by an actuator M (as in the illustrated example) or by follower means cooperating with a cam system associated with the guide 21 of the transport line 20.

[0037] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a glue dispensing device 60 for depositing the glue points 6 (see figure 2) on the two superimposed components 2 and 4, carried by each mobile unit 22 that reaches a zone R3 of the section 21 A of the guide 21, arranged downstream of the zones R1 and R2 with reference to the component feeding direction.

[0038] The dispensing device 60 can comprise a dispensing unit for dispensing the glue, which is connected via tubing to a glue tank arranged in a position detached from the transport line 20; furthermore, the dispensing device 60 can comprise a robotic arm for moving the dispensing unit so as to reach with it the predetermined points of the two components 2 and 4 on which the glue points 6 must be deposited.

[0039] Preferably, the dispensing unit comprises a nozzle and a flow control valve for the glue flow through the nozzle, which are configured to achieve a dispensing of the glue in the form of glue points 6.

[0040] In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a thermal conditioning station 70 which is arranged in a zone R4 of the section 21 A of the guide 21, arranged downstream of the zone R3 with reference to the component feeding direction.

[0041] The thermal conditioning station 70 is configured to thermally condition the glue points 6 on the components 2 and 4 carried by mobile units 22 that reach the zone R4, so as to activate a cross-linking process of the glue.

[0042] Preferably, the glue dispensed by the dispensing device 60 is a thermosetting glue and the station 70 is configured to heat the glue points 6.

[0043] Preferably, the station 70 comprises one or more UV lamps.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the station 70 is configured to operate simultaneously on a plurality of mobile units 22 that are in the same moment in the zone R4.

[0045] In this way, the duration of the thermal conditioning operation performed by the station 70 can be prolonged compared to the other assembly operations performed by the apparatus, so as to allow the cross-linking process of the glue to progress to an advanced stage such as to ensure the definitive fixing of the components 2 and 4.

[0046] The assemblies 1 are thus obtained.

[0047] At this point, the retaining members of the mobile units 22 can be deactivated to free the components 2 and 4 now fixed together. In one or more preferred embodiments, like the one illustrated, the apparatus 10 comprises a final device 80 for picking up the assemblies 1 from each mobile unit 22 that reaches a terminal zone R5 of the section 21 A of the guide 21, and for transferring them to a receiving system 300.

[0048] The device 80 can comprise a robotic arm 82, which carries an end effector constituted by a gripping unit configured to grip the assemblies 1. The gripping unit can be connected to an air suction system, to be able to operate by suction; alternatively, it can comprise grippers or equivalent mechanical gripping means.

[0049] The receiving system 300 can be defined by a conveyor configured to feed a longitudinal row of assemblies 1 extending along the same feeding direction of the assemblies 1 by the conveyor.

[0050] In a per se known manner, the assemblies 1 fed by the conveyor 300 can then be ordered into trays, each inside a respective housing of said trays, via robotic sorting systems 380, and the trays thus filled with the assemblies 1 can subsequently be stored in stacks, in special storage areas.

[0051] Preferably, the apparatus 10 comprises a detection device 50 for detecting the glue deposited on the components 2 and 4 positioned on the mobile units 22 and a control unit 52 configured to identify defective assemblies 1 based on data obtained through the detections performed by the detection device.

[0052] The control unit can furthermore be configured to control the transfer device 80 so that it deposits the assemblies identified as defective in a reject zone (not illustrated), instead of on the receiving system 300.

[0053] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example only, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for making assemblies (1) of the type comprising a first component (2) and a second component (4) mutually fixed via glue, said apparatus comprising:- a transport line (20) comprising a guide (21) extending along a transport path (K), closed in a loop, and a plurality of units (22) mobile on the guide (21) along the transport path (K), wherein said transport line (20) is configured so that said mobile units (22) are movable independently along the transport path (K); wherein each mobile unit (22) comprises at least one seat (22A) within which the first and the second component (2, 4) are mutually assembled;- a first device (30) configured to pick up the first components (2) from a first pickup station (102), and to place the first components (2) in the seats (2A) of the mobile units (22) of said transport line (20);- a second device (40) configured to pick up the second components (4) from a second pickup station (202), and to place the second components (4) on the first components (2) positioned in the seats (22 A) of the mobile units (22) of said transport line (20), wherein said, first and second, pick and place devices (30, 40) are arranged in succession along the transport path (K) of the transport line (20), and wherein each mobile unit (22) of said transport line comprises a retaining device (22B) activatable to hold the second component (4) in a predefined position on said first component (2);- said apparatus further comprising a glue dispensing device (60) arranged along the transport path (K), downstream of said, first and second, pickup devices (30, 40), and configured to dispense glue on the first and second components (2, 4) arranged in the seats (22A) of the mobile units (22) of said transport line (20), so as to mutually fix each second component (4) to the respective first component (2).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said glue dispensing device (60) is configured to dispense thermosetting glue, said apparatus further comprising a thermal conditioning station (70) arranged along the transport path (K), downstream of the glue dispensing device (60), andconfigured to perform a thermal conditioning treatment on the glue deposited on the first and second components positioned on the mobile units (22), so as to trigger a cross-linking process of the dispensed glue.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said thermal conditioning station is a heating station.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said heating station comprises one or more UV lamps.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims from 2 to 4, wherein said transport line is configured to simultaneously bring a plurality of mobile units (22) to said thermal conditioning station (70) and wherein said thermal conditioning station is configured to perform a thermal conditioning treatment simultaneously on all the glue deposited on the first and second components of all the mobile units of said plurality of mobile units (22).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said thermal conditioning station is configured to perform a thermal conditioning treatment characterized by a cycle time a number of times greater than the cycle times of said first and second pick and place devices.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a transfer device (80) arranged along the transport path (K), downstream of the glue dispensing device (60) or downstream of the thermal conditioning station (70), and configured to transfer the assemblies (1) obtained on the mobile units (22) of the transport line (K), to a receiving system (300)8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said retaining device (22B) is configured to press the second component against the first component.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a detection device (50) for detecting the glue deposited on the first and second components positioned on the mobile units (22) of the transport line (K) and a control unit (52) configured to identify defective assemblies (1) based on data obtained through the detections performed by the detection device.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 7, wherein said control unit (52) is configured to control said transfer device (80) so that it deposits the assemblies identified as defective in a reject zone,instead of on the receiving system (300).

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transport line (20) has a linear electric motor configuration such that respective permanent magnets are carried on the mobile units (22), while a series of windings distributed along the transport path (K) is arranged on the guide (21), said mobile units (22) being moved along the transport path (K) by effect of the electromagnetic interaction between said windings, electrically powered, and said permanent magnets on the mobile units (22).

Images