FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of hollow bush sub-assemblies.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not
necessarily prior art.
A hollow bush sub-assembly comprises a hollow bush fitted with a washer and an Oring.
The hollow bush sub-assembly is manually connected to components such as
brake drum of an automobile, for preventing leakage of lubricant therefrom and for
transferring the oil from the differential housing to brake drum housing. However, at
times during assembly of the hollow bush sub-assembly, the washer or the O-ring
may be left out thereby forming a defective hollow bush sub-assembly. When the
defective hollow bush sub-assembly is fitted to the component, the component faces
problems such as leakage of the lubricant, which may further affect other components
of the automobile.
Conventional methods of inspecting the sub-assembly involve manual inspection
which is tedious and time-consuming. Manual inspection is not error free and as a
result, may result in defective sub-assemblies being forwarded to be fitted with the
components.
Therefore, there is felt a need of an apparatus for segregating defective hollow bush
sub-assemblies that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein
satisfies, are as follows.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for segregating
defective hollow bush sub-assemblies.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, which eliminates
human error.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, which is
simple in configuration.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, which
eliminates human error.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the
following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for segregating defective hollow bush
sub-assemblies, wherein a hollow bush sub-assembly comprises a hollow bush fitted
with a washer and an O-ring configured to prevent the washer from slipping out.
The apparatus comprises a guide track defined by a base and a pair of walls extending
to the base. The distance between the walls is less than the diametrical dimension of
the washer but is greater than the diametrical dimension of the O-ring, so that the
walls of the guide track allow inverted disposal of the sub-assembly on the walls.
Absence of the washer causes the sub-assembly to fall into the base, and absence of
the O-ring causes the washer to slip off the sub-assembly and fall along with the subassembly
into the base, thus segregating the defective sub-assemblies.
In an embodiment, at least one rejection port is configured on the base to receive the
defective sub-assemblies.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensing unit positioned at an
operative end of the guide track. The sensing unit is configured to continuously sense
the presence of the sub-assembly on the guide track. The sensor is configured to
generate a sensed signal if the non-defective sub-assembly continues to stay on the
guide track after a predetermined time period.
In another embodiment, the sensing unit includes a sensor and a timing unit. The
sensor is positioned at an operative end of the guide track. The sensor is configured to
continuously sense the presence of the non-defective sub-assembly on the guide
track, and is further configured to generate a sensed signal. The timing unit is
configured to receive the sensed signal from the sensor. The timing unit is configured
to count up to the predetermined time period upon receiving the sensed signal. The
timing unit is further configured to generate the alert signal upon completion of the
predetermined time period.
In still another embodiment, the apparatus includes a notification unit coupled to the
sensing unit. The notification unit is configured to receive the sensed signals, and is
further configured to provide notifications based on the received sensed signal.
In an embodiment, the sensing unit is configured to detect hand movements of an
operator to determine removal of the non-defective sub-assembly from the guide
track and generate a sub-assembly lift signal. The sub-assembly lift signal is
transmitted to the timing unit for deactivating the notification unit.
In another embodiment, the sensing unit includes a sensor selected from the group of
proximity sensor and limit switch.
In yet another embodiment, the notification provided by the notification unit is
selected from visual notification, audio notification or any combination thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An apparatus, of the present disclosure, for segregating defective hollow bush subassemblies
will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in
which:
Figure 1A illustrates an isometric view of a hollow bush sub-assembly;
Figure IB illustrates an isometric view of a washer of the hollow bush sub-assembly
of Figure 1A;
Figure IC illustrates an isometric view of an O-ring of the hollow bush sub-assembly
of Figure 1A;
Figure ID illustrates an isometric view of a hollow bush of the hollow bush subassembly
of Figure 1 A;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the apparatus with the hollow bush subassembly
of Figure 1A disposed thereon;
Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrates isometric views of the apparatus of Figure 2; and
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view of a sensing unit of the apparatus of Figure 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100-Apparatus
102 -Hollow bush sub-assembly
104-Hollow bush
106-O-ring
108-Washer
110- Guide track
112-Base
114-Wall
116- Rejection port
118 - Sensor
120- Sinusoidal mode power supply (SMPS)
122- Timing unit
126-Hooter
128- Rejection bin
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the
present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth,
relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the
art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the
scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, wellknown
apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining
a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the
scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a", "an",
and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", and "including" are
open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features,
elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or
addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on", "connected to", or "coupled
to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other
element.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the
present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one
element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer
or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a
specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
As illustrated in Figures 1A through ID, a hollow bush sub-assembly (102)
comprises a hollow bush (104) fitted with a washer (108) and an O-ring (106)
configured to prevent the washer (108) from slipping out. The hollow bush subassembly
(102) is employed in applications such as brake drum for restricting the
leakage of a lubricant therefrom. While assembling the hollow bush sub-assembly
(102), there is a probability of either the O-ring (106) or the washer (108) being left
out thus, producing a defective sub-assembly. If such a defective sub-assembly is
fitted to a brake drum, the defective sub-assembly will affect the working of the brake
drum adversely. Hence, it is required that the defective sub-assemblies should be
removed at the first stance itself.
An apparatus (100), of the present disclosure, for segregating defective hollow bush
sub-assemblies will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 2 through
Figure 5. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the
disclosure.
The apparatus (100) comprises a guide track (110) which is defined by a base (112)
and a pair of walls (114) extending from the base (112). The distance between the
walls (114) is less than the diametrical dimension of the washer (108), but is greater
than the diametrical dimension of the O-ring (106), to allow the sub-assembly (102)
to be disposed on the walls (114) in an inverted manner. Usually, the hollow bushes
(104) after being assembled with the washers (108) and O-rings (106) are kept on the
guide track (110) and pushed forward for being assembled with components such as
brake-drums. Absence of the washer (108) causes the sub-assembly to fall into the
base (112) and absence of the O-ring (106) causes the washer (108) to slip off the
sub-assembly (102) and fall along with the sub-assembly (102) into the base (112),
thereby segregating the defective sub-assembly. More specifically, if the subassembly
does not contain a washer (108), then the sub-assembly will fall into the
base (112) due to absence of a supporting member. On the other hand, absence of the
O-ring (106) will allow the washer (108) to slip out, thus causing the washer (108) to
stay on the walls (114) while the sub-assembly (102) falls into the base (112) of the
guide track (110). Thus the apparatus (100) segregates the defective hollow bush subassemblies.
A rejection port (116) is configured on the base (112) of the guide track (110) to
receive the defective sub-assemblies. The rejection port (116) is connected to a
rejection bin (128) that is configured to collect the defective sub-assemblies.
In an embodiment, the height of the guide track (110) is configured such that the
washer (108) rests on the walls (114) of the guide track (110) and the operative top
portion of the hollow bush (104) rests on the base (112) of the guide track (110).
The apparatus (100) includes a sensing unit positioned at an operative end of the
guide track (110) (as illustrated in Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5). The sensing unit
is connected to a switched mode power supply (SMPS) (120) which is configured to
convert 220 volts of AC supply into 20 volts of DC supply through positive and
negative supplies. The sensing unit is configured to determine the presence of nondefective
sub-assembly (102) on the guide track (110) and generate an alert signal if
the non-defective sub-assembly (102) is stationed on the guide track (110) beyond a
predetermined time period. The sensing unit includes a sensor (118) and a timing unit
(122) which receives power from the SMPS (120). In an embodiment, the sensor
(118) is configured to detect the presence of a non-defective sub-assembly (102) on
the guide track (110) and generate a sensed signal based on the hand movements of
an operator. In another embodiment, the sensor (118) is configured to generate a
sensed signal when the non-defective sub-assembly (102) is proximal to the sensor
(118).
The timing unit (122) is configured to receive the sensed signal, and is further
configured to count up to the predetermined time period upon receiving the sensed
signal. The timing unit (122) is configured to generate the alert signal if the nondefective
sub-assembly (102) continues to stay on the guide track (110) beyond the
predetermined time period. The apparatus (100) further includes a notification unit
(not specifically shown in figures) configured to receive the alert signal from the
timing unit (122), and provide a notification to an operator.
In an embodiment, the sensing unit is configured to detect hand movements of an
operator to determine removal of the non-defective sub-assembly (102) from the
guide track (110) and generate a sub-assembly lift signal. The sub-assembly lift
signal is transmitted to the timing unit for deactivating the notification unit.
In an embodiment, the sensor (118) is a proximity sensor or a limit switch configured
to sense the hand movement of operator while taking non defective sub-assembly
(102) from the guide rails of the apparatus (100).
In an embodiment, the type of notification provided by the notification unit is
selected from visual notification, audio notification or any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the timing unit (122) is implemented by using one or more
processors. In an embodiment, the notification unit includes a hooter (126)
configured to provide audio notification.
In an operative configuration, a hollow bush sub-assembly (102) is placed on the
walls (114) of the guide track (110), and is subsequently pushed forward. In case of
absence of either washer (108) or O-ring (106), the defective sub-assembly falls into
the base (112) of the guide track (110), and from there into the rejection port (116).
The non-defective sub-assembly (102) is pushed forward towards the operative end of
the guide track (110) where the sensing unit is located. The sensing unit is configured
to determine the presence of non-defective sub-assembly (102) on the guide track
(110) beyond a predetermined time period and generate the alert signal if the nondefective
sub-assembly (102) is stationed on the guide track (110) beyond the
predetermined time period by means of the sensor (118) and the timing unit (122). If
the non-defective sub-assembly (102) is not picked up even after the completion of
the predetermined time period, the notification unit generates a notification either in
audio or visual form or a combination thereof, based on the alert signal. When the
sub-assembly (102) is picked up, the sensing unit is deactivated, and is activated only
after detection of the second sub-assembly (102).
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of
illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual
components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular
embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be
within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages
including, but not limited to, the realization of an apparatus for segregating defective
hollow bush sub-assemblies that:
• eliminates human error during a hollow bush assembly;
• rejects incomplete hollow bush sub-assembly; and
• has simple configuration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof
are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following
description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are
omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general
nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments
without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and
range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not
of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms
of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of
the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more
elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the
disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of devices, articles or the like that has been included in this
specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is
not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior
art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as
it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and
component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred
embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other
changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure
will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to
be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted
merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus (100) for segregating defective hollow bush sub-assemblies,
wherein a hollow bush sub-assembly (102) comprises a hollow bush (104)
provided with a washer (108) and an O-ring (106) configured to prevent said
washer (108) from slipping out, said apparatus (100) comprising a guide track
(110) defined by a base (112) and a pair of walls (114) extending from said
base (112), wherein the distance between said walls (114) is less than the
diametrical dimension of said washer (108) but greater than the diametrical
dimension of said O-ring (106) to allow inverted disposal of said subassembly
(102) on said walls (114), wherein absence of said washer (108)
causes said sub-assembly (102) to fall into said base (112) and absence of said
O-ring (106) causes the washer (108) to slip off the sub-assembly (102) and
fall along with the sub-assembly (102) into said base (112), thus segregating
the defective sub-assemblies.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rejection port
(116) is configured on said base (112) to receive said defective subassemblies.
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a sensing unit
configured to continuously sense the presence of the non-defective subassembly
(102) on said guide track (110), and further configured to generate
an alert signal if the non-defective sub-assembly (102) continues to stay on
said guide track (110) beyond a predetermined time period.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sensing unit includes:
a. a sensor (118) positioned at an operative end of said guide track (110),
said sensor (118) configured to continuously sense the presence of the
non-defective sub-assembly (102) on said guide track (110), and
further configured to generate a sensed signal; and
b. a timing unit (122) configured to receive said sensed signal from said
sensor (118), and said timing unit (122) configured to count up to the
predetermined time period upon receiving the sensed signal, and
further configured to generate said alert signal upon completion of said
predetermined time period.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, which includes a notification unit
coupled to said sensing unit, said notification unit configured to receive said
alert signal, and further configured to provide notifications based on said
received alert signal.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sensing unit is
configured to detect hand movements of an operator to determine removal of
said non-defective sub-assembly (102) from said guide track (110) and
generate a sub-assembly lift signal, wherein said sub-assembly lift signal is
transmitted to said timing unit for deactivating said notification unit.
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sensor (118) is
selected from the group of proximity sensor and limit switch.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the notification provided
by said notification unit is selected from visual notification, audio notification
or any combination thereof.