Bar mounted tool adaptor

A tool mount assembly includes drop down connections to aid in mounting of a tool to a moving base and a fail-safe tool mounting system for preventing installation of a tool in an undesired or incorrect manner. A plurality of tool mount rails are received within mounts and are uniquely tailored to assure proper placement of tools such as grippers or vacuum cups at desired locations specific to the application requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a tool mounting system for a workpiece transfer system. More particularly, this invention relates to a tool mounting system mountable to a workpiece transfer system.

A workpiece transfer system includes a bar that moves a workpiece between desired locations. Often the workpiece transfer system will move body panels between stamping stations. Tools such as grippers or vacuum cups are attached to the bar and grasp a workpiece at one location and release the workpiece at another location. The tools often utilize pressurized air for actuation and therefore need numerous pneumatic couplings and conduits that are attached to the bar.

In many applications of workpiece transfer systems, the clearance between the bar and the stamping station is limited. Accordingly, each part must fit within certain defined space restrictions. This includes the pneumatic and electrical wires that supply and control actuation of the gripper and vacuum tools.

Further, it is often the case with many transfer systems that multiple workpiece configurations are fabricated within the same line. The stamping dies are changed over along with the tooling required to move the workpieces between stations. Rigidly attached tooling makes change over difficult and time consuming.

Accordingly, it is desirable to design a transfer system that provides for switching of tooling while remaining within the space limitations of the transfer system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example tool mount assembly according to this invention includes drop down connections to aid in mounting of a tool to an adaptor plate and a fail-safe tool mounting system for preventing installation of a tool in an undesired or incorrect manner.

The example tool mount assembly includes an adaptor that is mounted to a bar of a part transfer machine. A plurality of tool mount arms are received within the adaptor and are specifically tailored to provide proper placement of tools such as grippers or vacuum cups relative to a specific panel or part configuration. The adaptor includes several mounting locations to receive a plurality of arms.

Each mounting location of each arm includes a fail-safe mounting allowing only the specified tooling to be installed. In this manner, it is not possible to properly install a tool in an incorrect location. The fail-safe mounting is provided by a specified desired distance between a base quick lock connection and a second connection. Each of the second connections includes a lug that is dropped down into a lug mount. The drop down feature provided by the lug and lug mount ease mounting of the tool to speed tool change over.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, the workpiece transfer system10includes a bar12that moves a workpiece20between workstations (not shown). An adaptor14is attached to the bar12and supports the tools18. The tools18extend from removable rails16attached to the adaptor14. The tools18illustrated are pneumatically actuated suction cups. However, other tools as are known would also benefit from the disclosures of this invention, for example mechanical grippers and part present sensing devices.

The rail16is part of a rail assembly. There are four rail assemblies42,44,46and48illustrated. The tools18are mounted to arms22that are in turn mounted to the rail16of each rail assembly42,44,46and48. The position of the tools18along the rail16is infinitely adjustable such that the configuration and placement of the tools18can be tailored to the requirements of a specific application and workpiece20.

Each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48include a mount plug25that is attachable to selectively releasable mount connector24attached to the adaptor14. The mount plug25is affixed to a first end of the rail16for each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48. The mount plug25interfaces with the mount connector24to communicate pressurized air and provide an electrical connection for any electrical devices mounted to the rail16. The mount connector24includes a locking device27movable between a released position where the rail16may be removed and a secured position where the rail16is rigidly held into the mount connector24, and the desired electrical and pneumatic connections are completed.

The example rail assembly42includes a sensor38for detecting the presence of the workpiece20. The sensor38is electrically attached through the interface between the mount plug25and the mount connector24. The mount connector24is in turn in communication with a source of electrical energy and pressurized air. Further, the mount connector24is adaptable for providing communication of control signals to the tools18mounted to the rail16.

The mount connector24also provides support of an end of the rail16. The second end28of the rail16is supported by a lug32that fits within a lug mount30. The lug32on the rail16is first placed within the lug mount30and slid axially into full engagement with the mount connector24. The lug mount30receives the lug32within a slot35that includes a vertical portion37and horizontal portion39. The lug32drops within the vertical portion37of the slot35and is slid axially within the horizontal portion39of the slot to facilitate axial engagement and securement of the mount plug25within the mount connector24. Although a mount connector24and mount plug25are illustrated, it is within the contemplation of this invention to utilize other mounting devices that are known in the art.

The rail assemblies42,44,46and48are installed to the adaptor14in a specific location. Each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48are adapted to fit only one location to assure a desired orientation of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48to comply with application specific requirements. Each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48are identified by a color code. The color of the lug32corresponds to a color on the lug mount30to provide a determination of the correct position for mounting of the rail assembly.

The color code in the illustrated example is green for the rail assembly42and is indicated schematically by shading17B on the the rail assembly42and shading17A on the lug mount30. The rail assembly46includes a gold color code schematically indicated at19A on the rail16and a matching gold color indicated at19B on the lug mount30. The rail assembly44includes a silver color code (not shown) and the rail assembly46includes a black color code (not shown). The color-codes17A and19A disposed on the rail16of each rail assembly42,46comprise a colored tape. The color-codes17B and19B on the lug mounts30are provided by a desired plating color. As appreciated, other colors and method of adhering that color to the lug mount and the rail may be utilized to identify each position on the adaptor14with the corresponding one of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48. The different color codes provide for easy identification of the proper location for the rail assembly.

Referring toFIG. 2, the rail assembly42is illustrated removed from the rail adaptor14. The rail assembly42, like the other rail assemblies44,46and48includes a length50between the lug32and a portion of the mount plug25. The length50for each of the rail assemblies is unique such that one rail assembly cannot be assembled into the place of another rail assembly. In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, the rail assembly46includes a length54that is different than the length50such that the rail assembly46cannot be assembled in place of the rail assembly42. The length50between the lug32and the end of the mount plug25corresponds to a length52between the mount connector24and the lug mount30. The length52is measured from a stop of the mount connector24and a position within the horizontal portion39of the slot35within the lug mount30.

The length50between the lug32and the end of the mount plug25is a dimension that is fabricated within desired tolerances to provide the desired fit once mounted. As appreciated, some prior art tool mounting devices include multiple critical dimensions that must be closely controlled to provide the desired fit, or event to allow assembly. The instant tool mounting system includes only a single closely held dimension, thereby simplifying assembly, and fabrication.

The rail assembly42is easily removable by unlocking the mount plug25from the mount connector24and moving the entire rail axially away from the mount plug25until the lug32is free to move vertically within the slot35of the lug mount30. Another rail assembly including tooling for a differently shaped and configured workpiece can then be installed to provide a relatively quick and easy tooling change over.

In operation, several sets of rail assemblies will be provided that correspond to various and differently configured workpieces. Change over is conducted by removing one set of color-coded rail assemblies and installing another set in the proper color coded locations. Rail assemblies can only be properly installed into corresponding locations due to the different lengths50and54between the mount connector24and the lug mount30.

Referring toFIG. 3, the lug mount30is shown without the rail and adaptor for clarity. The lug mount30includes the slot35having the vertical portion37and the horizontal portion39. The drop down feature provided by the lug32being received in the slot35facilitates quick assembly of a rail assembly. The lug32includes a bushing33that supports the tool and prevents twisting during installation. The drop down feature thereby prevents twisting of the rail assembly during assembly, thereby substantially eliminating the need for an assembler to support the rail assembly during the entire assembly process.

Referring toFIG. 4, the lug mount30is shown schematically that correspond to mounting arrangements for the rail assembly42and the rail assembly46. The slot35includes a width58for the lug32. The lug32includes the bushing33supported on a shaft31. The shaft31includes a diameter60that corresponds with the width58that provides for assembly of the lug32within the slot35. The width58is tailored to each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48such that each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48includes a tailored width58unique to that particular rail assembly.

Accordingly, the rail assembly46is partially shown with the lug32having a shaft31of a diameter64different than the diameter60for the rail assembly42. The lug mount30for the rail assembly46includes a width62of the slot35′ that prevents another rail assembly, such as for example the rail assembly42from being installed within the lug mount30instead of the rail assembly46. Accordingly, the different diameters for each shaft31of each of the rail assemblies42,44,46and48substantially prevent assembly of a rail assembly in a non-desired orientation.

Referring toFIG. 5, a cross-section of the transfer system10is shown with the adaptor14attached to the bar12. As appreciated, the transfer system10operates within a space-restricted environment. In some applications, it is desired to limit or eliminate mounting of devices or objects to the top of the bar12. Such applications may not allow the mounting of electrical wire harnesses and airlines to the top surface of the bar12. In such applications, the instant adaptor14provides the necessary mounting and communication of air and electric to the tooling without extending substantially beyond the top surface of the bar12. The addition of the adaptor14adds only the minimal thickness of the adaptor14to the overall height of the bar12.

Accordingly, the inventive workpiece transfer system10includes several features that assure proper configuration of the several rail assemblies42,44,46and48that expedite and facilitate quick tool changeover. Different lengths between mounting points for each rail assembly and tailored diameters of shafts for each lug accompanied by color-coded parts provides for fail safe and efficient tool change over. Further, the drop down mounting provided by the lug and lug mount tool mount configuration eases mounting by eliminating awkward and difficult maneuvering of the rail assemblies during the mounting process.