FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical nut runner. Said nut runner reduces
energy consumption and therefore its cost.
PRIOR ART
Currently available systems operate pneumatically, the power head of which
'.moves down to engage the component. Said movement is governed bj;. the updown
movement of a pneumatic cylinder. The pop-up on which the pallet along
with the work piece rests, moves up and down pneumatically by means of a
pneumatic cylinder. Thus, the movement of the nut runner is entirely
dependent on the compressed air supply. However, even though the spindles
for fastening the work piece can be electrical or pneumatic, the movement of
the machine for engaging and locating the component/work piece is
pneumatic.
Thus, the conventional system is pneumatically operated, which involves
transmission losses. Further, it gives rise erratic movements causing jerk.
'Therefore, movement of said system is not smooth.
Hence, it is required to develop an electrical nut runner, which can address the
aforesaid drawbacks.
However, reference may be made to 716/MUM/2003 disclosing electrical nut
runner (1) for use in automobile industry. The tool unit PLC (Programmable
Logic Circuit) and conveyor PLC (Programmable Logic Circuit) (8) are looped
together by a relay (1 1) for synchronized operation thereof. This prevents the
conveyor from moving further carrying any improperly tightened components to
the assembly line due to negligence or other wise of the operator and moves the
'. reliability of the nut runner.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical nut
runner which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
..Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical nut runner
which prevents transmission losses.
Further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical nut runner
which does not involve erratic movements leading to smooth operation and
movement.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical nut
runner which is reliable and efficient.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an electrical nut runner
comprising of a pop-up with conveyor mounted with a pallet constituting
bottom portion and a power head constituting top portion, wherein said top
and bottom portion are operated by electric motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this. invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiment of the present invention and wherein:
:, Fig. 1 shows: front view of electrical nut runner
I
Fig. 2 shows: perspective view of electrical nut runner of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows: power head of the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows: provision of proximity sensor in the power head.
-4-
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
.. ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention of the proposed application is directed to an electrical nut
runner. Now, reference may be made to fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
As can be seen from fig. 1 and 2, pop-up is connected to an electric motor
preferably an induction motor to make the operation cost effective. Conveyor is
positioned on the top of said pop-up and is mounted with a pellet for
supporting a work piece.
The above discussed arrangement constitutes bottom part of the system,
wherein work-piece is provided between said bottom part and .power head
., forming the top portion.
Power head comprising of a motor assembly disposed in between I-beam (I) (fig.
2) used for suspension of whole machine. Said motor assembly comprising of a
motor (M) preferably an induction motor, which is connected to ball screwllead
screw (1) and also guide (2) on both sides of said screw for proper alignment
with housing (H) for electric spindles (S) positioned below the screw and guides.
A plurality of spindles (S) are accommodated inside the housing for spindle
wherein said spindles are engaged with the work piece (W) during operation.
The ball screwllead screw is provided inside a housing (3) and between slide
:. plate (4) and guide plate (5). Said guide is connected to bearing housing (6) at
one end for smooth movement of guide. A brake (7) is provided below said
screw.
Further, there is provision of limit switch (8) on one side of screw acting as a
sensor to prevent any accident due to over travel'of machine.
Again, a proximity sensor (9) is provided to sense the rotation of motor for
safety purpose, in which motor is connected to sensing disc (10).
Said system also comprises a display box (D) to display all parameters.
During operation of the system, pop-up with pallet and power head (P) moves
towards each other. In off mode, both pop-up and power head move away from
each other.
The system of the instant invention is used to fasten the component/work
piece on the engine assembly line. For performing the desired operation on the
..engine, the nut runner's power head comes down using a lead screw and motor
arrangement. After the work is over, the power head moves up (back to its
home position) using the lead screw and motor arrangement.
Simultaneously, the pop-up on which pallet rests also moves up and down
using a motor which in turn drives the cam and its follower.
This system is used where the conveyor is palletized i.e. the conveyor used is a
power and free conveyor without restricting scope of the invention to the same.
The movement of the machine for engaging and locating the component is
based on electrical energy.
Thus, the system uses electrical energy to drive the motor. These rfiotors are
responsible for the movement of the power head as well as the pop-up, thereby
eliminating use of compressed air.
Advantageous features of the invention over prior art
- The new system works completely on electricity unlike the conventional
system which is pneumatically operated.
- The power head moves up-down due to a motor and screw arrangement
which is energy efficient, whereas the available system moves with the
help of an air cylinder which is not that efficient.
- The pop-up moves up-down with the help of motor and cam arrangement
which is energy efficient, whereas in the known system this is done
pneumatically, which is less efficient.
- It does not involve any transmission losses since it works on electricity,
whereas in case of equipment working on compressed air, transmission
losses occur.
- It is cost effective.
- It does not generate erratic movements i.e. it is jerk free since it is
operated by electricity. This results in smooth operation and movement.
'.It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to m~d~cations,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims: -

WE CLAIM:
'. 1. An electrical nut runner comprising of a pop-up with conveyor .mounted
with a pallet constituting bottom portion and a power head constituting
top portion, wherein said top and bottom portion are operated by electric
motor.
2. An electrical nut runner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power head
comprising of a motor assembly having an electric motor.
3. An electrical nut runner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said
induction motor is connected to ball screwllead screw and guide on both
sides of said screw.
4. An electrical nut runner as claimed in claim 3, wherein said guides are
provided for proper alignment with housing for electric spindles
positioned below the screw and guides.
5. An electrical nut runner as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein a plurality of spindles are accommodated inside the housing for
spindles, wherein the spindles are engaged with the work piece during
operation, in which the work piece is placed between power liead and
bottom portion.
6. An electrical nut runner as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
comprising of a brake, and a limit switch is provided on one side of the
screw to prevent any accident due to over travel of machine.
7. An electrical nut runner as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein a proximity sensor is provided to sense the rotation of motor for
safety, in which said motor is connected to sensing disc.
8. An electrical nut runner as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the nut runner is associated with the advantageous features
such as herein described.
9. An electrical nut runner substantially as herein described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.