# Patent

## Title
End effector assembly for inclusion in a system for producing uniform

## Abstract

A coating mask device includes a base 10 on which on a jig bed 30 is mounted. The jig bed 30 supports the support jig 40, which receives a product W to be coated. A mask support frame 20, having a mask body 22 formed integrally therewith, is mounted on the base 10 so as to be pivotally moveable between a closed position in which the mask body 22 covers the support jig 40 and an open position in which the mask body exposes an upper side of the support jig 40. The mask body 22 corresponds in shape to the product to be coated. The mask support frame 20 is detachably mounted on the base 10, and the support jig 40 is detachably mounted on the jig bed 30.

## Background
1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a coating mask device used for applying a coating only to a desired portion of a molded product serving, for example, as a component part of a lighting device for a vehicle, such as a lens and a lamp body.

2. Related Art

FIG. 12 illustrates a conventional coating mask device. The device includes a base 1 on which a jig bed 2 is mounted. The jig bed 2 supports a support jig 3. The support jig 3 receives a product 7 to be coated. A mask support frame 5 is pivotally mounted to the base 1. The mask support frame 5 is integrally formed with a mask body 6 having a shape that corresponds to the shape of the product 7. The mask support frame 5 is pivotable between a closed position (indicated in phantom in FIG. 12) in which the mask body 6 covers the support jig 3 and the product 7 and an open position (indicated in solid lines in FIG. 12) in which the mask body 6 exposes the upper side of the support jig 3 and the product 7.

A link mechanism 4 moves the jig bed 2 upward and downward, and a lever 4a moves the link mechanism 4 upward and downward. When the mask support frame 5 is closed, the support jig 3 is moved upward so that the mask body 6 properly covers the product 7.

The mask body 6 includes an opening (not shown) corresponding to a coat-forming region of the product 7. When the mask body 6 covers the product 7, a spray coating is applied from the upper side of the mask body 6, thereby applying the coating only to the coat-forming region of the product 7.

Although generally thought to be acceptable, these conventional devices are not without shortcomings. In particular, the device is designed according to the specific product configuration. Therefore, in order to coat a product having a different configuration, the entire coating mask device must be redesigned. This redesign impacts the mask body 6 and the support jig 3 (which directly relate to the product configuration), as well as the base 1 and the jig bed 2. Such extensive redesign is time consuming and expensive.

In addition, conventional coating mask devices are incorporated into a production line. Therefore, if products having different configurations are processed through the same production line, then one coating mask device must be removed from the production line and a different coating mask device must be installed in the production line. This remove and replace process is very cumbersome. Furthermore, a large space is required for storing the coating mask devices removed from the production line.

It is an object of this invention to provide a coating mask device in which a mask support frame, having a mask body formed integrally therewith, and a support jig have a detachable construction so that the coating mask device can be easily adapted to products having different configurations.

An embodiment defined by claim 1 includes a coating mask device wherein a support jig, on which a product to be coated can be placed, is supported on a jig bed mounted on a base, and a mask support frame, having a mask body formed integrally therewith, is mounted on the base so as to be pivotally moved between a closed position in which the mask body covers the support jig and an open position in which the mask body exposes the support jig. The mask body corresponds in shape to the product to be coated. The mask support frame is detachably mounted on the base, and the support jig is detachably mounted on the jig bed.

When products having different configurations are to be coated, a new mask support frame, having a mask body (corresponding to the new configuration) formed integrally therewith, as well as a new support jig (corresponding to the new configuration), is prepared. The current mask support frame and the current support jig are removed from the coating mask device, and the new mask support frame and the new support jig are mounted on the coating mask device. In this way, different kinds of products can be coated.

Even if the coating mask device is incorporated in a production line, it is only necessary to exchange the mask support frame and the support jig. Therefore the exchange operation is easy and quick.

Additionally, the removed mask support frame and support jig are much smaller in size than an entire coating mask device. Therefore, a required storage space is smaller as compared with the case where the entire coating mask device is stored.

In the coating mask device of claim 2, a first mounting plate is mounted on the jig bed, and an second mounting plate is mounted on the support jig, such that the second mounting plate is superposed on the first mounting plate, and is positioned and fixed relative to the first mounting plate through convex and concave engagement portions. The second mounting plate is superposed on the first mounting plate in such a manner that their convex and concave engagement portions are engaged with each other, thereby positioning the support jig relative to the jig bed.

In the coating mask device of claim 3, the first and second mounting plates have pin insertion holes extending through the convex and concave engagement portions, and by sliding a slide pin inserted in the pin insertion holes, the first and second mounting plates can be connected together and disconnected from each other. When the slide pin is inserted in the pin insertion holes of the first and second mounting plates, the two mounting plates are interconnected, and when the slide pin is withdrawn from the pin insertion holes of one of the two mounting plates, the two mounting plates are disconnected from each other.

In the coating mask device of claim 4 according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, the jig bed can be moved upward and downward by an elevating mechanism. Therefore, the product to be coated can be accurately positioned relative to the mask body.

The above and other features of the invention including various and novel details of construction and combination of parts will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular coating mask device embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a coating mask device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing hooks of a mask support frame and their neighboring portion;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an operating lever and its neighboring portion;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coating mask device in a closed condition of a mask body;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coating mask device in a condition corresponding to a coating process;

FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view of a support jig-elevating mechanism of the coating mask device;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coating mask device, with the support jig and the mask support frame removed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the reverse side of the second mounting plate;

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an engagement portion between the first and second mounting plates;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of this engagement portion (that is, a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI--XI of FIG. 10); and

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional coating mask device in an open condition.

FIGS. 1 to 11 show a coating mask device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. A support jig 40 receives a molded product W of a synthetic resin, serving as a component part of a lighting device for a vehicle. The support jig 40 is mounted on a base 10. Specifically, the support jig 40 is fixedly mounted on a jig bed 30. The jig bed 30 is linearly moveable relative to the base 10 via a link mechanism 33.

A mask support frame 20 is pivotally mounted on the base 10 so as to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The mask support frame 20 has a mask body 22 formed integrally therewith. The mask body 22 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the molded product W.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the mask support frame 20 is closed, the mask body 22 opposes the molded product W provided on the support jig 40. And as shown in FIG. 5, the jig bed 30 is linearly moved by the link mechanism 33 toward the mask support frame 20, so that the mask body 22 covers the molded product W. except for a predetermined region thereof. In this condition, a spray coating is applied through the mask body 22 and onto the molded product W, thereby coating only the predetermined region of the molded product W.

The base 10 comprises a frame body 11 with support posts 12a and 12b extending therefrom. The frame body 11 may have, for example, a rectangular shape with the support posts 12a and 12b respectively extending from four corner portions thereof (that is, front end corner portions and rear end corner portions). A bearing 14, for supporting the mask support frame 20 in a pivotable fashion, is mounted on a free end of the support post 12a at the front end of the frame body 11. A rod 22a extends through the bearing 14. The mask support frame 20 is pivotally moveable about the rod 22a between the closed position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) in which the mask body 22 opposes the support jig 40 and the molded product W, and the open position (see FIG. 1) in which the mask support frame 20 is raised to expose the support jig 40 and the molded product W.

The bearing 14 is divided into halves in a direction perpendicular to the rod 22a. For example, the bearing 14 may have an upper half and a lower half as shown in the drawings. These halves are connected together by screws 14a. When the screws 14a are loosened and the halves of the bearing 14 are separated from each other, the mask body 22 can be detached from the support post 12a.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of right and left coaxial rods 22b extend from the rear end of the mask support frame 20. The rods 22b are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction. A pair of right and left hooks 26 are pivotally mounted on the rods 22b, respectively. The hooks 26 are integrally with a handle 24.

Turning to FIG. 3, the support posts 12b at the rear end of the frame body 11 have U-shaped grooves 12b1 for receiving the rods 22b of the mask support frame 20. An operating lever 15 of an L-shape is pivotally supported on a pin pivot 15a extending between the support posts 12b. The pin pivot 15a and the bottoms of the U-shaped grooves 12b1 are disposed on a common axis.

With reference to FIG. 4, upon closing the mask support frame 20, the rods 22b insert into the U-shaped grooves 12b1, and a rod 24a provided on the handle 24 engages with a rod engagement portion 16 of the operating lever 15. And with reference to FIG. 5, when the handle 24 is further pivotally moved, the hooks 26 are retained respectively on hook retaining portions 13 provided on the support posts 12b. In this way, the mask support frame 20 is held in the closed condition.

The operating lever 15 drives the link mechanism 33 of the jig bed 30. Specifically, when the mask support frame is initially closed (FIG. 4), and the handle 24 pivots in a direction of an arrow (FIG. 5), the rod 24a presses the rod engagement portion 16, so that the operating lever 15 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 5) and raises the link mechanism 33.

The link mechanism 33 moves the jig bed 30 relative to the base 10. The link mechanism 33 comprises a first link 34 and a second link 35. The first link 34 is generally V-shaped having one end connected by a pin 36a to the base 10. Specifically, the first link 34 is connected by the pin 36a to a bracket 36 mounted on the frame body 11. The second link 35 has a straight configuration with one end connected by a pin 37a to the jig bed 30, and another end connected by a pin 33a to a central portion of the first link 34. The second link 35 is connected by the pin 37a to a bracket 37 mounted on the jig bed 30. By rotating the first link 34 about the pin 36a, the jig bed 30 is linearly moved with respect to the base 10.

Stoppers 35a are formed on opposed inner surfaces of the first link 34. These stoppers 35a cooperate with projections 35b formed at one end of the second link 35. Specifically, when the link mechanism 33 is extended, the projections 35b engage with the stoppers 35a to limit the pivotal movement of the second link 35. Cylinders 38 and guide rails 39 are provided between the frame body 11 of the base 10 and the jig bed 30 to guide the linear movement of the jig bed 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, the jig bed 30 is divided into three portions: a central portion 30a; and opposite end portions 30b, 30c. The central portion 30a is moved directly by the link mechanism 33. The opposite end portions 30b, 30c are engaged at their inner portions with the central portion 30a, and are moved by the central portion 30a. Reference numerals 30d and 30e denote engagement portions between the jig bed portions.

In FIG. 6, reference numerals 30a', 30b' and 30c' denote the retracted positions of the jig bed portions 30a, 30b, 30c, respectively. Stopper means (not shown) provided on the guide rails 39 prevent the opposite end portions 30b, 30c from retreating beyond their respective retracted positions 30b', 30c'. During a retreating motion of the jig bed 30, the three jig bed portions 30a, 30b, 30c move together because the opposite end portions 30b, 30c are supported by the central portion 30a from the lower side. Eventually, the opposite end portions 30b, 30c are stopped by the stopper means provided on the guide rails 39, and thereafter, only the central portion 30a of the jig bed continues to move toward its retracted position 30a'. When the link mechanism 33 is extended, the opposite end portions 30b, 30c are advanced by the central portion 30a in unison to their respective positions indicated in solid lines in FIG. 6.

A roller 34a is rotatably mounted on a distal end of the first link 34. The roller 34a engages with a bifurcated link engagement portion 17 of the operating lever 15. Therefore, the pivoting action of the operating lever 15 and the handle 24 causes the first link 34 to pivot about the pin 36a. As shown in FIG. 4, when the first link 34 pivots in a direction of arrow A, the second link 35 moves toward the mask support frame 20. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the jig bed 30 is linearly displaced such that the mask body 22 covers the molded product W on the support jig 40.

A coating operation is performed while the device is in the condition shown in FIG. 5. When the coating operation is finished, the handle 24 is pivoted in a reverse direction. As a result, the hooks 26 disengage from the hook retaining portions 13 and the link mechanism 33 collapses, thereby moving the jig bed 30 to the retracted position. The handle 24 is then further moved to open the mask support frame 20, thereby exposing the support jig 40 and the molded product W. The molded product W is removed, and a fresh molded product W is placed on the support jig 40. Then, in accordance with the same procedure described above, the mask support frame 20 is closed, and the support jig 40 is linearly moved, such that the mask body 22 covers the molded product W.

A first mounting plate 50 is fixedly secured to the jig bed 30 by screws, and a second mounting plate 60 is fixedly secured to the support jig 40 by screws. The second mounting plate 60 is engaged with and fixed to the first mounting plate 50, thereby integrally connecting the support jig 40 to the jig bed 30.

The detailed constructions of the first and second mounting plates 50, 60, respectively, are shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. The second mounting plate 60 is a rectangular frame having a gate-like cross-section, and the first mounting plate 50 is a rectangular plate that fits into an opening 62 of the second mounting plate 60. The two mounting plates 50, 60 fit together in a superposed fashion. A width d of the opening 62 in the second mounting plate 60 is equal to a width d of the first mounting plate 50. The first mounting plate 50 includes positioning pins 52 that insert into engagement holes 63 provided in the second mounting plate 60, thereby positioning the two mounting plates 50, 60 relative to each other.

The first mounting plate 50 includes rectangular blocks 55 (55a, 55b, 55c) arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. The rectangular blocks 55b, 55c, which are provided at opposite ends of the first mounting plate 50, include pin insertion holes 56 for receiving a slide pin 70 (described later). The second mounting plate 60 also includes rectangular blocks 65 (65a and 65b), which are identical to the rectangular blocks 55 on the first mounting plate 50. The rectangular blocks 65 are arranged at predetermined intervals within the opening 62. The rectangular blocks 65 are arranged so that they do not overlap the rectangular blocks 55 when the two mounting plates 50, 60 are fitted together in a superposed fashion. The rectangular blocks 65 include pin insertion holes 66, 67 that correspond to the pin insertion holes 56 in the rectangular blocks 55b, 55c on the first mounting plate 50.

A slide pin 70, having an H-shape, is disposed between each pair of opposed blocks 65b. The slide pin 70 includes a rectangular block body 71 having a pair of parallel pins 72 extending therethrough. The pins 72 insert into the associated pin insertion holes 66, 67. The block body 71 also has a pin operating portion 74 extending therefrom. The pin operating portion 74 passes through a slot 68 formed through a body 61 of the second mounting plate 60. The slide pin 70 slides along the slot 68 via the pin operating portion 74.

When each slide pin 70 is slid toward the center of the second mounting plate 60, the pins 72 withdraw from the associated pin insertion holes 56 in the first mounting plate 50. Accordingly, the two mounting plates 50, 60 can be separated from each other, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. On the other hand, when each slide pin 70 is slid toward the corresponding end of the second mounting plate 60 (that is, in a direction of an arrow in FIG. 11), the pins 72 insert into the associated pin insertion holes 56 in the first mounting plate 50. Accordingly, the two mounting plates 50, 60 are interconnected through the pins 72. This sliding action allows the support jig 40 to be easily attached to and detached from the jig bed 30.

The first mounting plate 50 is divided into three plates: a central plate 50a; and opposite end plates 50b, 50c. Each of the plates 50a, 50b, 50c is respectively provided with holes 53a, 53b, 53c. The plates 50a, 50b, 50c are fixedly secured to the respective jig bed portions 30a, 30b, 30c via screws 54. The positioning pins 52 project from the central plate 50a. The rectangular blocks 55a are fixedly secured to opposite end portions of the central plate 50a, and these rectangular blocks 55a enable the first mounting plate 50 (50a) and the second mounting plate 60 to be superposed together in parallel relation to each other. The rectangular blocks 55b, 55c are fixedly secured respectively to the opposite end plates 50b, 50c. As described above, the pin insertion holes 56, for receiving the pins 72 to interconnect the first and second mounting plates 50, 60, are formed through each of the blocks 55b, 55c.

The support jig 40 is divided into three portions, including: a central portion 40a; and opposite end portions 40b, 40c, as shown in FIG. 6.

The second mounting plate 60 has a construction that corresponds to the divided construction of the support jig 40 (40a, 40b, 40c). The second mounting plate 60 comprises a plate body 61 with a top plate. The top plate has an opening 61a formed in a central portion thereof. The opening 61a corresponds in size to the central plate 50a of the first mounting plate 50, and receives a central plate 60a of a rectangular shape. The central plate 60a has screw holes 63a, and the top plate has screw holes 63b. The second mounting plate 60 is fixedly secured to the support jig 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) by screws passing respectively through the screw holes 63a, 63b. Two rectangular blocks 65b are fixedly secured to each of the opposite end portions of the top plate of the second mounting plate body 61. The two pin insertion holes 66 are formed through each of the opposed blocks 65b, and extend in the longitudinal direction in parallel relation to each other. Each slide pin 70 is provided between the opposed blocks 65b, with its pins 72 inserted in the pin insertion holes 66. The blocks 65a are fixedly secured respectively to opposite end portions of the central plate 60a. The blocks 65a include the pin insertion holes 67, which are aligned with the pin insertion holes 66 in each of the opposed blocks 65b.

When each slide pin 70 is slid toward the central opening 61a, the pins 72 insert into the associated pin insertion holes 67 in the block 65a on the central plate 60a. Accordingly, the plate body 61 and the central plate 60a are integrally connected together to form the second mounting plate 60, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11. Also, the pins 72 of each slide pin 70 withdraw from the associated pin insertion holes 56 in the blocks 55b, 55c on the first mounting plate 50. Accordingly, the second mounting plate 60 disconnects from the first mounting plate 50. In this condition, the support jig 40 (that is, the second mounting plate 60 fixedly secured to the support jig 40) can be detached from the jig bed 30 (that is, the first mounting plate 50 fixedly secured to the jig bed 30).

On the other hand, when each slide pin 70 is slid toward the corresponding end of the second mounting plate 60 (that is, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11), the pins 72 insert into the pin insertion holes 56 in the block 55b, 55c on the first mounting plate 50 (the opposite end plates 50b, 50c). Accordingly, the second mounting plate 60 (the plate body 61) is connected to the first mounting plate 50 (the opposite end plates 50b, 50c), that is, the support jig 40 (the second mounting plate 60 fixedly secured to the support jig 40) is connected to the jig bed 30 (the first mounting plate 50 fixedly secured to the jig bed 30). Thus, by sliding the slide pins 70, the support jig 40 is easily attached to and detached from the jig bed 30.

When the support jig 40 (the second mounting plate 60) is connected to the jig bed 30 (the first mounting plate 50) by the slide pins 70, the central plate 60a, which is fixedly secured to the central portion 40a of the support jig 40, is separateable from the plate body 61, which is fixedly secured to the opposite end portions 40b, 40c of the support jig 40. The central plate 60a of the second mounting plate 60 is carried by the central portion 30a of the jig bed 30 in such a manner that the central plate 60a superposes on the central plate 50a of the first mounting plate 50, with the engagement pins 52 engaged respectively in the engagement holes 63.

Therefore, when the jig bed 30 is retracted by operating the link mechanism 33, the opposite end portions 30b, 30c of the jig bed 30, carried by the central portion 30a of the jig bed 30, move in unison to their retracted positions 30b', 30c'. The support jig portions 40a, 40b and 40c are also moved in unison to their respective positions 40a', 40b, 40c', such that the molded product W is located at a position W' (FIG. 6). The opposite end portions 30b, 30c of the jig bed 30 can not retreat further. However, the central portion 30a of the jig bed 30, fixedly secured to the central plate 50a of the first mounting plate 50, may retreat further. Therefore, only the central plate 60a of the second mounting plate 60 (and the central portion 40a of the support jig 40), which is connected to the central plate 50a of the first mounting plate 50, is further retreated. Accordingly, the central portion 40a of the support jig 40a reaches a stop position 40a". As a result, a space H is formed beneath a central portion of the molded product W, and the molded product W is easily removed from the support jig 40. Also the next molded product W is easily placed on the support jig 40.

In the above embodiment, the support jig 40 (and the jig bed 30), is divided into the central portion 40a (and 30a) and the end portions 40b, 40c (and 30b, 30c). Each of the first and second mounting plates 50, 60 is also divided into a central portion and other portions. However, the support jig 40 and the jig bed 30 can be of a non-divided, integral construction, and the mounting plates 50, 60 can be of a non-divided, integral construction.

In the above embodiment, although the support jig 40 is linearly moved by the link mechanism 33, the support jig 40 may be fixed relative to the base 10.

As is clear from the above description, the present coating mask device accommodates products having different configurations by merely exchanging the mask support frame 20 and the support jig 40. The exchange operation of the mask support frame 20 and the support jig 40 is easy and quick, particularly when the coating mask device is incorporated in a production line. A required space for storing the removed mask support frames 20 and support jigs 40 is small.

By engaging the second mounting plate 60 with the convex and concave engagement portions of the first mounting plate 50, the support jig 40 is easily positioned relative to the jig bed 30. Therefore, the attachment of the support jig 40 is easy.

The support jig 40 is connected to and disconnected from the jig bed 30 by sliding the slide pin 70. Thus, the exchange operation of the support jig 40 is very easy.

The product W to be coated can be accurately positioned relative to the mask body W. Therefore, the coating is accurately applied to the product W.

## Claims

1. A coating mask device comprising: bed; and mounted on said base so as to be pivotally moveable between (1) a closed position in which said mask body covers said support jig and (2) an open position in which said mask body exposes said support jig, said mask body corresponding in shape to said product to be coated; said support jig is detachably mounted on said jig bed.

2. A coating mask device according to claim 1, further comprising: having first engagement portions; and plate having second engagement portions; superposed fashion through said first and said second engagement portions.

3. A coating mask device according to claim 2, further comprising: and said second engagement portions; and disconnected from each other by a sliding action of said slide pin into and out of said pin insertion holes.

4. A coating mask device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. A coating mask device according to claim 4, wherein said mechanism is a link mechanism including (1) a first link having one end rotatably fastened to said base, and another free end, and (2) a second link having one end articulated to a central portion of said first link, and another end rotatably secured to said jig bed.

6. A coating mask device according to claim 5, further comprising: having (1) a link engagement portion that engages with said free end of said first link, and (2) a handle engagement portion; and adapted to engage with said handle engagement portion of said operating lever to impart rotational movement thereto; and rotated, said operating lever drives said first and said second links, thereby imparting linear movement to said jig bed.

7. A coating mask device according to claim 4, wherein each of said jig bed, a first and a second mounting plate, and said support jig has a central portion and a corresponding remainder portion, each said central portion being supported by said mechanism to be linearly displaceable over a greater distance than said corresponding remainder portion.

8. A coating mask device according to claim 2, wherein said first and said second engagement portions have convex and concave shapes.

9. A coating mask device according to claim 2, further comprising:

10. A coating mask device according to claim 3, further comprising:

11. A coating mask device comprising: bed; and mounted on said base so as to be pivotally moveable between (1) a closed position in which said mask body covers said support jig and (2) an open position in which said mask body exposes said support jig, said mask body corresponding in shape to said product to be coated; said support jig is detachably mounted on said jig bed, for coating a plurality of products having different configurations.