AUTOMATIC SCREWDRIVING SYSTEM FOR CONNECTION OF COMPONENTS

Abstract

The screwdriving system for connection of components that require high contact pressures for their screw connection, having a screwdriving unit which is connected to an articulated robot, wherein the screwdriving unit contains a motor for the rotary drive, an actuator for the linear drive, a gear mechanism, a torque shaft, a tool holder for a screwdriving tool and a feed head which is supplied with screws, which are held in the feed head during the screwing-in operation, the tool holder, the screwdriving tool and the feed head being arranged on a common screw axis, includes an articulated bearing arrangement, the pivoting of which is able to compensate for a deflection of a robot axis of the articulated robot caused by contact pressures and for a tilted position of the screwdriving unit resulting therefrom.

Claims

1. A screwdriving system for connection of components that require high contact pressures for their screw connection, having a screwdriving unit which is connected to an articulated robot, wherein the screwdriving unit contains a motor for the rotary drive, an actuator for the linear drive, a gear mechanism, a torque shaft, a tool holder for a screwdriving tool and a feed head which is supplied with screws which are held in the feed head during the screwing-in operation, the tool holder, the screwdriving tool and the feed head being arranged on a common screw axis, comprising: an articulated bearing arrangement, the pivoting of which is able to compensate for a deflection of a robot axis of the articulated robot caused by contact pressures and for a tilted position of the screwdriving unit resulting therefrom.

2. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the screws are flow drilling screws.

3. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein in the articulated bearing arrangement, the tool holder of the screwdriving tool and the feed head are pivotally mounted about joints which are operative in such a way that a deflection of a robot axis of the articulated robot caused by the contact pressures and a tilted position of the screwdriving unit resulting therefrom can be compensated by pivoting of the tool holder with the screwdriving tool and of the feed head, so that they maintain their perpendicular position with respect to the plane of the parts being connected.

4. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein at an upper end of the tool holder there is arranged a spherical hexagonal head by means of which the tool holder is deflectable through an angle (β).

5. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the feed head is deflectable through an angle (γ) by two coaxial bearing pins.

6. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection (α) of the screwdriving unit can be compensated by a deflection (β) of the tool holder and deflection (γ) of the feed head, so that during the screwdriving operation the feed head lies flat on the component and the screw and the screwdriving tool are held at substantially a right-angle with respect to the component.

7. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the screwdriving tool is provided with two tapered portions on which the screwdriving tool moves out of a tool guide in the feed head during the screwdriving operation, so that bending stress and friction on the screwdriving tool are eliminated.

8. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the deflections (β) of the tool holder and the feed head can be restored by the force of springs.

9. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein in the articulated bearing arrangement, the screwdriving unit is pivotally mounted about a joint which is arranged in the screw axis and is operative in such a way that a deflection of a robot axis of the articulated robot caused by contact pressures and a tilted position of the screwdriving unit resulting therefrom can be compensated by pivoting of the screwdriving unit, so that the screw axis maintains its perpendicular position with respect to the plane of the components being connected.

10. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein an adapter plate is attached to the free arm of the articulated robot, on which adapter plate there are mounted two mutually spaced side panels, between which the screwdriving unit is attached by means of the joint.

11. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein between the adapter plate and the screwdriving unit there is arranged a piston/cylinder unit as reset cylinder which is able to co-operate with a fixed stop on at least one of the side panels in order to fix the non-deflected starting position of the screwdriving unit and its screw axis.

12. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the piston/cylinder unit is mounted on the adapter plate and on the cylinder of the linear drive, and the fixed stop fixes the non-deflected starting position of the cylinder of the linear drive when the cylinder is drawn against the fixed stop.

13. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein when the reset cylinder is deactivated, the screwdriving unit is pivotable about the joint.

14. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein the reset cylinder is provided with a valve for its pneumatic operation.

15. The screwdriving system according to claim 1, wherein a bolt projects from each of the opposite outer sides of the cylinder of the linear drive, and the bolts engage in ball bearings provided in the side panels, with the result that the screwdriving unit is articulatedly mounted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the screwdriving system according to the invention;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a partial section view of a screwdriving unit;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the screwdriving unit of FIG. 2 without angle compensation;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the screwdriving unit with angle compensation;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section view through the region of the joint of the feed head;

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a portion of the region of FIG. 5;

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section view through the region of the upper joint;

[0043] FIG. 8 shows a vertical section view through the first embodiment of the screw-driving unit according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 9 shows the joint in the tool holder (detail D);

[0045] FIG. 10 shows the joint in the feed head (detail E and section H-H);

[0046] FIG. 11 shows the tool guide (detail G);

[0047] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the automatic screwdriving system;

[0048] FIG. 13 shows the screwdriving unit in the initial position;

[0049] FIG. 14 shows the screwdriving unit of FIG. 13 during the screwdriving process without angle compensation;

[0050] FIG. 15 shows a section view of the screwdriving unit with angle compensation;

[0051] FIG. 16 shows a side and front view of the screwdriving unit;

[0052] FIG. 17 shows a section K-K through the side view of FIG. 16;

[0053] FIG. 18 shows a section L-L through the front view of FIG. 16;

[0054] FIG. 19 shows the structure of the second embodiment of the screwdriving system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the screwdriving system according to the invention for connection of components. The screwdriving system contains an articulated robot 1, the arms A1 to A6 of which are rotatable in the direction of the arrows shown. A screwdriving unit 2 is attached to the front arm A6, in the housing of which screwdriving unit there is arranged a drive device for a screwdriving tool 3. A holding device 7 is attached to the housing 11, on the free end of which holding device there is mounted a feed head 4 which is supplied with screws one after the other through a hose (not shown), which screws are screwed into a component 6. During the screwdriving operation the screws are held in the feed head 4 so that their longitudinal axis coincides with the centre longitudinal axis of the feed head 4.

[0056] In the case of a joining operation using flowdrilling screws, high contact pressures are required which can bring about a deflection of the robot axes in the articulated robot 1. In the embodiment shown, this applies to the axis A5. This deflection results, in turn, in a misalignment of the feed head 4 in which the screw being processed is held. Since the components 6 to be joined are firmly fixed during processing, this deflection cannot be compensated without special technical measures. In the embodiment shown, for example, high transverse forces and bending stresses develop in the screwdriving unit and in the join location, which forces have an adverse effect on the outcome of the screwing operation. This results inter alia in a tilted position of the screw, a distorted torque value during the screwdriving operation and increased wear on the screwdriving tool.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows, in a similar diagrammatic view, the screwdriving unit 2 attached to the articulated robot, with the feed head 4 being shown in section. The screwdriving tool 3 is in engagement with a screw 8 which is held in a vertical position in the feed head 4. During the screwdriving operation a significant contact pressure F is exerted on the screw 8.

[0058] As a result of that contact pressure, the screwdriving unit 2 is pivoted through an angle α5 in the direction of the arrow, with the result that, at the join location, a force X is produced which, in the absence of means for angle compensation, results in a slightly tilted position of the screw during screwing-in.

[0059] In order that such a faulty screwdriving operation can be avoided, two additional joints are integrated into the screwdriving unit 2 by means of which the deflection of the robot can be compensated. The joint above the screwdriving tool 3 is preferably a spherical hexagon 9 which allows a pivoting movement of the tool 3, as shown in the diagrammatic FIG. 4. Furthermore, the feed head 4 is articulatedly attached to the holding device 7; this joint 10 consists of two coaxial, spring-loaded cylindrical pins 12, as shown purely diagrammatically in FIG. 5. By virtue of that articulated mounting of the mouthpiece 4, the mouthpiece can be pivoted through an angle α, as shown in FIG. 6, so that in the event of a tilted position of the screwdriving unit 2, the feed head 4 can be positioned flat on the component during the entire screwdriving operation and the screw is screwed in perpendicular to the component.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows a section A-A through the tool holder 13 of the screwdriving tool 3. At the upper end, a spherical hexagonal head 9 is held in such a way that the screwdriving tool 3, which is in engagement with a screw, is pivoted so that, during the screwdriving operation, it is able follow the screw without the development of transverse forces. During the screwdriving operation, the screwdriving tool has give in the two joints 9, 10, so that the transverse forces are eliminated and the quality of the screwdriving operation is considerably improved.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows a vertical section through an embodiment of a screwdriving unit according to the invention which is attached to an articulated robot by an adapter plate 14. The essential components of the screwdriving unit will be found in the following list which indicates the associated reference numerals in FIG. 8: [0062] 14 adapter plate [0063] 15 motor [0064] 16 actuator feed stroke [0065] 17 actuator tool stroke [0066] 18 reversing gear mechanism [0067] 19 torque shaft [0068] 20 tool holder [0069] 21 tool [0070] 22 tool guide [0071] 23 restoring spring [0072] 24 feed head [0073] 25 centring jaw [0074] 26 feed arm [0075] 27 connecting element [0076] 28 feed hose

[0077] The process sequence of the screwdriving system shown is as follows:

[0078] The screw is supplied via the feed hose 28, for example by compressed air, and held in the centring jaws 25, which are held together by means of a tension spring or a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively, the screws can be also supplied by “pick and place” or by means of a magazine integrated into the system.

[0079] Once the screwdriving tool has engaged in the engagement feature of the screw and the feed head has been positioned on the component, the processing force (F) is initiated, the robot axis being deflected by an angle α.

[0080] In the tool holder 13 the deflection a of the axis 6 is compensated by the angle β with the aid of a spherical hexagonal head and in the feed head 4 by the angle γ with the aid of two bearing pins 12. The tool 3 is provided with two tapered portions. As soon as the screw 8 penetrates the component 6, the screwdriving tool 3 moves out of the tool guide 22 in the feed head, as can be seen from DETAIL G. Bending stress and friction on the screwdriving tool 3 are thus eliminated.

[0081] As soon as the screwdriving operation is complete, the feed stroke 16 and the tool stroke 17 are reset and the feed head lifts away from the component, the feed head being pressed into the starting position again by restoring springs, and the next screw can be supplied.

[0082] In order to compensate for the deflection in the robot axis, two additional joints are integrated into the screwdriving unit. FIG. 9 shows the joint 9 in the tool holder 13 as DETAIL D. This joint consists of a preferably spherical hexagonal head 9. The joint in the feed head is shown in FIG. 10 as DETAIL E and SECTION H-H and contains two bearing pins 12 about which the feed head 4 is pivotable through an angle γ. Reference numeral 25 denotes the centring jaws of the feed head, and reference numeral 30 denotes a restoring spring which returns the feed head to the starting position again when the screwdriving operation is complete.

[0083] During the screwdriving operation, the screwdriving unit is able to give in those two joints. As a result, the transverse forces are eliminated and the tool remains at virtually a right-angle with respect to the component, with the result that the quality of the join is considerably improved.

[0084] FIG. 11 shows the guide 22 of the screwdriving tool, which is provided with two tapered portions. As soon as the screw penetrates the component, the screwdriving tool moves out of the tool guide 22, with the result that bending stress and friction on the tool are eliminated.

[0085] FIGS. 12 and 19 show a second embodiment of the screwdriving system according to the invention for connection of components. The screwdriving system contains an articulated robot 101, the arms A1 to A5 of which are rotatable in the direction of the arrows shown. An adapter plate 104 is connected to the front robot axis, on the lower end region of which adapter plate there are mounted two side panels 123 which are spaced apart from one another in parallel. Between those side panels 123, a screwdriving unit 102 is pivotally mounted about a joint 120. The screwdriving unit contains a motor 105 for the rotary drive, a linear actuator 106, a tool holder 110 for a screwdriving tool 111, a feed head 112 having centring jaws 113. The connection elements, i.e. screws, to be screwed in are supplied to the feed head 112 through a feed arm 116.

[0086] On the upper end region of the adapter plate 104 there is mounted a reset cylinder 114, the piston rod 124 of which is fixedly connected to the linear actuator 106. Compressed air for acting upon the reset cylinder 114 is fed through a line in which a valve 126 is installed. On the side panels 123 there is formed a fixed stop 121 against which the linear actuator 106 is drawn in the non-pivoted starting position of the screwdriving unit 102. The torque shaft 125 operated by the motor 105, the tool holder 110, the screwdriving tool 111 and the feed head 112 having the centring jaws 113 lie on a common screw axis which runs perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece 122. The joint 120 likewise lies in the screw axis. During the screwdriving operation the screws 127 are held in the centring jaws 113 so that their longitudinal axis coincides with the centre longitudinal axis of the feed head 112.

[0087] FIG. 13 shows, in a similar diagrammatic view, the screwdriving unit 102 attached to the articulated robot, with the feed head 112 with the centring jaws 113 being shown in section. The screwdriving tool 111 is in engagement with a screw which is held in a vertical position in the centring jaws 113. During the screwdriving operation a significant contact pressure F is exerted on the screw.

[0088] As a result of that contact pressure, the screwdriving unit 102 is pivoted through an angle α5 in the direction of the arrow, with the result that, at the join location, a force X is produced which, in the absence of means for angle compensation, would result in a slightly tilted position of the screw during screwing-in (FIG. 14).

[0089] In order that such a faulty screwdriving operation can be avoided, the screwdriving unit 102 is connected by a joint 120 to the side panels 123, which are attached to the adapter plate 104 so as to be resistant to bending, which joint 120 lies on the screw axis of the screwdriving unit 102. Once the reset cylinder 114 has been deactivated, i.e. depressurised, the screwdriving unit 102, the centring jaws 113 of which are pressed firmly against the metal sheet 122 and the screw of which is subject to high axial force, is pivoted about the joint 120 so that the screw axis maintains its perpendicular position with respect to the plane of the metal sheet 122. That angle compensation is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 15.

[0090] FIG. 16 shows a side view and a front view of the screwdriving unit 102 articulated on the side panels 123. The cylinder 128 of the linear actuator 106 is provided with a bolt 129 on each of its opposite outer sides, which bolts are seated in ball bearings 130 arranged in the side panels 123. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 17 which shows section K-K in FIG. 16.

[0091] FIG. 18 shows a section L-L of FIG. 16, which shows the relative positions of the motor 105, its drive shaft 131, the gear mechanism 132 and the torque shaft 125 with the screwdriving tool 111. In addition, the Figure also shows a holding device 133 for the feed head 112.

[0092] FIG. 19 shows the overall structure of the second embodiment of the screwdriving system, in which the screws are supplied one after the other through a feed hose 134 and the afore-mentioned feed arm 116 to the centring jaws, which are held together by means of a tension spring or a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively, the screws can be also supplied by “pick and place” or by means of a magazine integrated into the system.