Sony Corporation

Masanori Nishimura

Takashi Fukushima

Takeshi Aiba

Fujio Yabuki

Tomio Kusakabe

Tamiaki Matsuura

Hiroshi Ohtsuki

Tamiaki Tatsuura

Hiroshi Otsuki

An automatic assembling machine is disclosed for use with a carrier having parts arranged on it in predefined positional relationships which are defined by predetermined distances therebetween in two orthogonal directions. A movable table supports the carrier and moves in two orthogonal directions in a horizontal plan. A mounting surface extends above the plane of the movable table and has first and second portions which are parallel to the two orthogonal directions. At least one working unit is attached to at least one of the portions of the mounting surface to cooperate with movements of the table in assembling the parts on the carrier.

Automatic assembling machine

An automatic assembling apparatus includes a pair of parallel conveyers for transferring carriers, each carrier having four chassis and parts to be assembled on the chassis; a plurality of assembly stations, each having a movable table on which various assembling operations can be performed with respect to the carriers; a carrier loader associated with each assembly station and movable between a first position in opposing relation to the movable table thereof and a second position in opposing relation to the conveyers, and having a pair of chucking stations in opposing relation to the pair of parallel conveyors, respectively, when the carrier loader is at the second position for simultaneously feeding and discharging the carriers to and from the conveyers and in opposing relation to the respective assembly station when the carrier loader is at the first position for feeding and discharging the carriers to and from the respective assembly station; a plurality of stopping members associated with respective ones of the assembly stations for selectively stopping carriers adjacent respective ones of the assembly stations; and sensing elements for detecting the presence of the carriers on the pair of parallel conveyers for controlling the stopping members in response thereto so as to selectively stop carriers adjacent respective ones of the assembly stations.

Automatic assembling apparatus

A machine for automatically assembling equipment composed of parts at least some of which are arranged on a carrier includes a movable table which supports the carrier and which moves in two orthogonal directions in a horizontal plane. A tray is supported on the table and has additional parts or tools arranged thereon for use during assembly. A mounting surface extends above the plane of the movable table and has first and second portions parallel to the two orthogonal directions. At least one working unit is attached to at least one of the portions of the mounting surface for selective engagement with the parts and the tools on the tray upon movements of the movable table in assembling the equipment.

A carrier for supplying to an automatic assembling machine at least one chassis and several parts to be assembled on each chassis includes a first portion for receiving each chassis and a second portion associated with the first portion for storing the parts to be assembled on the chassis. According to the method, the chassis are loaded on the first portions of the carrier and sets of corresponding parts are loaded on the second portions in a predetermined relationship, whereupon, corresponding parts of the sets are simultaneously transferred to the respective chassis.

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Masanori Nishimura