Linear Rotary Actuator Fastener Insertion with Soft Landing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated assembly processes face challenges in inserting threaded fasteners with high precision and speed without damaging delicate components, as increased speed and force can lead to thread damage and reduced product quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a linear rotary actuator that aligns and inserts threaded fasteners with a soft land procedure, applying reduced torque initially and a final torque specification, while reversing the fastener's direction to align threads and prevent cross-threading, thereby minimizing force and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the actuator speed is increased to achieve higher process throughput, then productivity improves, but the threaded fastener contacts the hole with greater force causing thread damage and reduced quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess throughputVSAvoidthread damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening process is divided into multiple phases: approach phase, contact phase, and tightening phase. Each phase has different speed and force requirements, allowing the system to optimize throughput without causing damage by controlling force application in each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator performs preliminary alignment and positioning of the fastener before contact with the hole. This preliminary action ensures proper orientation and reduces impact force during actual engagement, preventing thread damage while maintaining efficient operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional operations are used to avoid thread and product damage by minimizing forces, then quality is maintained, but process throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread damageVSAvoidprocess throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator dynamically adjusts its speed and force output throughout the fastening process. High speed is used during approach and alignment, while controlled force is applied during contact and tightening, optimizing both throughput and quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (speed, torque, acceleration) at different stages of the fastening process. This allows high throughput during non-contact phases while maintaining low impact forces during contact phases, resolving the contradiction between speed and damage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10675723B1Methods and apparatus for inserting a threaded fastener using a linear rotary actuator

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 SYSTEMS MACHINES AUTOMATION COMPONENTS CORP

AI summary

A system and method for precisely inserting threaded fasteners using a linear rotary actuator. The method includes aligning the threaded fastener with the threaded hole, soft landing the threaded fastener in contact with the threaded hole, aligning the ends of the threads, soft landing the threaded fastener in contact with the threaded hole, and snugging the threaded fastener. Additional threaded fasteners may be inserted and snugged before a final torque specification is applied to each of the fasteners. The system includes a linear rotary actuator and a tool for driving and coupling to the threaded fastener.