GAS-FEED TRANSFER TRACK

Abstract: A gas feed apparatus is described for the transport of articles between assembly line stations. A turbulent gas flow is generated which provides a balanced driving force for, in particular, lightweight, irregularly shaped articles (1), and thus reduces the incidence of inconsistent feeding and jamming. Incorporated into the apparatus are features (12, 14; 9), for controlling both the number and the speed and stability of articles fed at any one time from the line to a station. In this way rapid and efficient transfer of articles between stations is ensured.

Description: This invention relates to a gas-feed transfer track for transporting articles along assembly line Assembly lines have been devised to transfer articles efficiently from one location to another as, for example, from an assembly station to a test site. Several types of transport apparatus have been employed, including vibratory tracks and "push-feed" mechanisms. Difficulties arise when using either of these techniques, particularly for the transport of lightweight, irregularly shaped parts, in that as well as being slow, inconsistent feeding and jamming of the article frequently occurs. Gas-feed transport mechanisms suffer from similar problems and generally also required a high operating gas pressure. DE-A-2645464 discloses a gas feed transfer track for transferring articles seriatim from a first to a second location comprising: a channel-shaped section along which said articles travel; and means for supplying a gas flow along the surface of said channel-shaped section in such a direction as to propel articles from the first to the second location. According to one aspect of the invention as claimed, a gas-feed transfer track of this type is characterised by the gas flow supplying means comprising gas outlet slots in the side of the channel-shape section orientated at various angles to the desired direction of transport of the articles for generating turbulence at least at said first location. By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the transport of keyboard pivot plate/spring subassemblies using an air flow. It would be clear to one skilled in the art, however, that employing the principles described, it would be possible to transport a wide variety of articles using many different gases. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a keyboard pivot plate/spring sub assembly. Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of an assembly line incorporating the main features of the invention. Figure 3 is an enlarged end view of the same assembly line illustrated in Figure 2. The keyboard pivot plate shown in Figure 1 has a plastic pivot plate (1) having a "three point contact" profile and carries a metal spring (2). This, together with the low mass of the part, can cause inconsistent feeding and jamming. This is a particular problem if the part if vibrated or "push-fed", but even occurs when jets of gas are used for its propulsion. In order to transport such an irregularly shaped article effectively, especially from a relatively static position, a more balanced driving force is necessary. The gas feed track shown in Figure 2, has a channel-shaped section (3) for supplying parts from an assembly station (not shown) at the right hand side, to a test station (not shown) at the left hand side, and incorporates two separate air-feed slots or manifolds (4). The use of more than one manifold has been found to result in improved efficiency by allowing greater control of the air pressure. Each air manifold (4) is associated with an air supply inlet (5) and regulator, the slots being sealed overall by a gasket (6) and track cover (7) as shown in Figure 3. Air is transferred from the manifolds (4) to the track through angled air outlet slots (8), generally angled to impart leftward motion. To start the part moving from a relatively static position at the assembly station end and to reduce the "turning effect" of air jets at a specified angle, some slots are cut at different angles, for example at both 30 and 45 degrees. The resulting turbulence leads to a more balanced driving force. An additional airfeed adjuster (9) is fitted to specifically control the air outlet slot next to the test station, which further controls the speed and stability of the part as it enters the test station. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, an access flap (10) is incorporated into the design at the assembly station end, to allow access to the edges of the track and for the removal of the occasional trapped and/or damaged part. The flap is friction hinged and rests on a sealing gasket (11). In order to control the number of parts going into the test station at any one time, individual parts are fed via two spring loaded stop pins (12), of differing size. Figures 2 and 3, show these pins, the larger being at site A, nearer to the test station end of the assembly line. Initially the larger stop pin (A), is activated in the up position, stopping pivot plate assemblies from passing along the track. The smaller stop pin, in position B, is retracted below the track lower surface. The part is sensed by means of a photoelectric sensor (13) mounted into the track lower surface and coupled to a sense hole (14) via a light pipe (15). Tests have shown a reflective sensor to be of use both in that it has a very small sensing surface enabling it to be mounted close to the stop pin, and in that it is very stable in sensing the translucent plastic pivot plate under varying ambient light conditions. The use of a reflective type sensor removes the need for a sensor probe to be mounted above the track, thus allowing clearer operator access. In operations, when the sensor detects a part against stop pin A, and provided the controller indicates that the test station is empty, pin A is fired down and pin B up. Pin B is narrower than A and can pass between two pivot plate assemblies. The assembly to the left of B is free to pass into the test station where it is sensed by a similar detector to that already described. When sensed, stop pins A and B are reversed, the next part moves up to pin A and the process is repeated. The apparatus described provides a rapid and efficient means of transporting articles and is of particular value for transferring lightweight and/or irregularly shaped articles (workpieces) between assembly line stations.

Claims: A gas feed transfer track for transferring articles seriatim from a first to a second location comprising: a channel-shaped section (3) along which said articles travel; means (4, 5 and 8) for supplying a gas flow along the surface of said channel-shaped section (3) in such a direction as to propel articles from the first to the second location; characterised in that the gas flow supplying means comprises gas outlet slots in the side of the channel-shaped section (8) orientated at various angles to the desired direction of transport of the articles for generating turbulence at least at said first location. A track as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the gas supply means includes one or more gas feed manifolds (4), each with a gas supply inlet and regulator. A track as claimed in either preceding claim, including a gas flow adjuster (9) fitted to the manifold (4) nearest to the second location for controlling the speed and stability of the article on arrival at that location. A track as in any preceding claim, where the gas employed is air. A track as claimed in any preceding claim including a friction hinged flap (10) for gaining access to the channel-shaped section. A track as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means (12, 14) for controlling the number of articles supplied to the second location at any one time. A track as claimed in claim 6, where said controlling means consists of two stop pins (A and B) situated in the vicinity of the second location, the movement of which are synchronised such that when one protrudes from the surface of the channel, the other is retracted, and detection means (13, 14, 15) for sensing the presence of an article at the stop pin earer the second location to cause said near pin to retract and the farther pin to protrude. A track as claimed in claim 7, further including means operable when an article is at said second location to reverse the positions of the stop pins. A track as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, where the stop pin (B) nearer to the first location is sufficiently narrow as to fit between articles transported seriatim along said track. A track as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, in which said detection means is a photoelectric sensor (13). A track as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said article to be transported is a keyboard pivot plate/spring sub assembly.

Inventors: AKAM, NIGEL JOHN, CAMERON, DONALD MUNRO, HALLIDAY, DAVID KERR, PATERSON, RAYMOND
Applicants: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65G51
IPC codes: B65G51