초록 ▼

Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. In one embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an engine cooling system, and in the other embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an air conditioni

Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. In one embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an engine cooling system, and in the other embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an air conditioning system. Each of the fluid fill devices includes a housing in which a pair of spool valves are mounted. One of the spool valves controls the flow of vacuum and the other spool valve controls the flow of the fluid. A coupling mechanism including a movable piston releasably and fluidly connects its respective device to its container during evacuation and filling cycles. The device receives control signals from a pressurized air source to control movement of the spool valves and the pistons. If the container and the vehicle on which it is mounted are particularly well located, the device can be utilized in a hard automation system. Alternately, the device may be utilized as an end effector for mounting at the distal end of a robot arm. When utilized with the robot, the programmed motion of the robot is automatically adjusted by optically measuring the position of the container. Preferably, a compliance mechanism is interposed between the robot arm and the device to compensate for small amounts of misalignment between the device and the container.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for the automated filling of a container fixedly mounted on a vehicle to move therewith at a work station, the method utilizing a robot system which includes at least one robot having an arm provided with a device movable relative to at least three control axes for putting fluid into the co

A method for the automated filling of a container fixedly mounted on a vehicle to move therewith at a work station, the method utilizing a robot system which includes at least one robot having an arm provided with a device movable relative to at least three control axes for putting fluid into the container, the method comprising the steps of: moving the vehicle into the work station; locating the vehicle at the work station so that the container is positioned at an expected container location; automatically moving the device through a predetermined motion relative to the three control axes to the expected container location so that the device mates with the container; and automatically controlling the device so that the device puts the fluid into the container.