Abstract:
An assembly machine display has an image representative of a workpiece to be assembled using the machine. Multi-colored indicator lights mounted behind a display substrate are associated with areas on the workpiece image that require a process to be completed by a machine operator. The display substrate has translucent portions that allow the lights to be viewed by a machine operator from the front side of the display. The indicator lights change color to reflect the status of the corresponding area of the workpiece.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/567,995 filed on May 4, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a display for an assembly machine.  
         [0003]     Assembly machines commonly have indicator lights associated with the machine. The indicator lights are used to signify when an assembly process is ready to proceed, or has been completed. For example, a light would illuminate to indicate when the current assembly process has completed. This is often used in machines that require drilling, welding, or application of fastening devices. The indicator lights are used to visually indicate to the operator when the process is complete.  
         [0004]     The indicator lights have been known to consist of two separate lights. A first light having one color, which is lit to indicate the work still needs to be performed and a second light, of another color, to indicate when a process is properly completed. Having two separate lights increases the cost of the assembly machine. These lights can be unsightly. In addition, the number and positions of the indicator lights for workpieces that require multiple steps or processes can be confusing.  
         [0005]     Known displays have relatively large light indicators protruding out from a base surface. The size of conventional lights can make it difficult to indicate all locations of multiple processes on a display. This is especially true when multiple colors are required at each of the multiple locations on the display.  
         [0006]     A display is needed that easily correlates the indicator light to the position of the workpiece to which it corresponds and which is pleasing to the eye.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An exemplary disclosed display includes an image that is a representation of a workpiece. The workpiece has operating points requiring some type of process to be completed by a machine operator. Indicator lights mounted behind the display correspond with points on the image that represent the operating points on the workpiece. Portions of the display are translucent such that the indicator lights can be seen from the front side of the display. The indicator lights are multi-colored. A first color indicates that the workpiece requires work. A second color indicates that the required work has been completed. A control associated with the assembly machine monitors the status of each point in order to change the indicator lights at the appropriate time.  
         [0008]     One example display includes a translucent substrate that has a solid coating on one side. Portions of the solid coating are removed and colored to form the image of the workpiece. Other portions of the solid coating are removed and remain uncolored to provide translucent portions for the indicator lights to be seen from the front side of the display.  
         [0009]     The various features and advantages of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a general perspective view of an assembly machine using a display of a first embodiment.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged general view of the display of the first embodiment.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section of the display of  FIG. 2  taken on the line  3 - 3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional, schematic illustration of an example display during a manufacturing process.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional, schematic illustration of the display board of  FIG. 4  at a later stage. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an assembly machine  10  having a display  12 . The assembly machine  10  has a generally horizontal work surface  14 . A workpiece  16  is secured on the work surface  14  in a known manner. The workpiece  16  has operating points  18  which require work by an operator. For example, the operating points  18  may be insert holes for fasteners  20 . The operating points  18  may also be locations for drilling, welding, or other operations to be completed by an assembly machine operator.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the display  12 . The display  12  is mounted to the assembly machine  10  in a location easily viewed by a machine operator. The display  12  has a substrate  21  with an image  22  visible from a first side  24  of the substrate  21 . The image  22  in this example is a representation of the workpiece  16  including the operating points  18 . The display  12  also includes light indications  25  adjacent each of the representations of the operating points  18 . The light indications  25  comprise translucent portions  26  in the substrate  21 . The example display  12  includes additional translucent portions  26 ′. The additional translucent portions  26 ′ are adjacent status information  28  that includes wording for indicating overall machine, or workpiece status, for example.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows indicator lights  30  associated with each of the operating points  18 , and with each of the light indications  25 . The indicator lights  30  are positioned adjacent a second side  32  of the substrate  21  so that light from the indicator lights  30  can be viewed through the translucent portions  26  and  26 ′ from the first side  24  of the substrate  21 .  
         [0018]     The indicator lights  30 , in one example, comprise multi-colored light emitting diodes (LED). The indicator lights  30  have a first color, representing a first status of each operating point  18 . The indicator lights  30  have a second color, representing a second status of each operating point  18 . For example, the indicator light  30  may have a red color indicating that the corresponding operating point  18  requires work to be done, and a green color indicating the work has been completed on that operating point  18 .  
         [0019]     A control  33  monitors the status of the assembly machine  10  and the operating points  18  in a known manner (i.e., whether a tool has been used to tighten a fastener) and changes the corresponding indicator lights  30  from the first color to the second color at the appropriate time.  
         [0020]     One advantage to the disclosed example is that a single light source provides multiple colors (and status indications) for each operating point  18 . This is significant where display space is limited and a plurality of operating points  18  must be shown.  
         [0021]     Another advantage of this example is that the visible or viewed side of the display  12  is smooth and planar. No large lights need protrude from the front side of the display  12 . This maintains better visibility and reduces the possibility of corrosion in an assembly plant, for example.  
         [0022]     As can be seen in  FIG. 3  the display  12 , in this example, has a substrate  21 , which comprises a translucent or transparent material. The display  12  has a second material layer  36  on one side of the substrate  21 . The second material layer  36 , in this example, is applied to the second side  32  of the substrate  21 . The second material layer  36  preferably is made from an opaque material, which is colored as desired. In one example, the second material layer  36  is laminated together with the substrate  21 .  
         [0023]      FIGS. 4-5  schematically illustrate an example process for making the illustrated display  12 . This includes removing portions  44  of the second material layer  36  in the shape of the image  22  representing the workpiece  16 . Removing the portions  44  of the second material layer  36  can be done by etching, for example.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment using an etching device  40  for removing material.  
         [0024]     The exposed portions  44  of the substrate  21  provide the outline of the image  22 , for example.  FIG. 5  schematically shows adding color to the exposed portions  44  of the second material layer  36 . This example has a paint sprayer  42  adding paint  46  to the display  12 . A color that contrasts with the color of the second material layer  36  preferably is added by coloring the display  12  from the second side  32 . The applied color can be viewed through the translucent substrate  21  along the exposed portions  44 . Thus, the image  22  representing the workpiece  16  can be viewed from the first side  24  of the display  12 . Alternatively, the image  22  may be left translucent and illuminated from the second side  32  such that the image can be viewed on the first side  24 .  
         [0025]     In this example, portions of the second material layer  36  also are removed to form the translucent portions  26  and  26 ′. The translucent portions  26  and  26 ′ can be established before or after the painting process. If done before, a suitable masking technique keeps the translucent portions  26  and  26 ′ free of paint during the process of coloring in the image  22 . Color is not added to the transparent portions  26  and  26 ′ so that the indicator lights  30  can be viewed through the translucent portions  26  and  26 ′.  
         [0026]     Once the image  22  and light indications  25  are established on the substrate  21 , the indicator lights  30  are secured in place corresponding to the translucent portions  26  and  26 ′. In one example, a housing for each indicator light  30  is secured directly to the back side of the substrate  21 .  
         [0027]     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications may come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope of protection granted for this invention.