Gmfanuc Robotics Corporation

John A Boback

Donald S Bartlett

Thomas M Powell

A vehicle door opener apparatus positioned in a work station such as a paint booth includes a rotary arm with its pivot axis substantially aligned with the door hinge axis in open and closed positions of the door. Harmonic control linkage provides smooth acceleration and deceleration of the door. A fixture pin is mounted on the lower surface of each door of the vehicle body for engagement by a gripper mechanism comprising a pair of elongated rail members supported on the free end of the arm. The rail members receive the fixture pin upon movement of the vehicle body into the work station. A system utilizing the apparatus includes a hydraulic power supply and a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a solenoid valve which controls a rotary actuator of the apparatus in an on-off manner. The rotary actuator powers a drive link of the control linkage. Magnetic proximity switches provide status signals to a programmable controller which controls the solenoid valve. The switches not only indicate the open or closed status of the opener arm, but also indicate the presence of the fixture pin between the rail members.

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Warren, MI, United States of America

John A Boback