Abstract:
A system includes a carriage configured to move along a rail. The system also includes a clamping brake configured to selectively allow and prevent movement of the carriage along the rail. The clamping brake includes multiple brake pads configured to be moved inward to lock onto the rail and to be moved outward to release the rail. The clamping brake also includes multiple springs configured to apply spring forces that cause the brake pads to move inward and lock onto the rail. The clamping brake further includes a camshaft coupled to or including multiple eccentrics. The eccentrics are configured to overcome the spring forces and cause the brake pads to move outward and release the rail.
Abstract:
A cradle drive system includes a cradle drive sled. The sled includes a pin configured to mechanically couple the sled to a cradle. The cradle is configured to hold a hardware load for movement along a factory rail. The sled also includes a power interface configured to provide torque to move a hardware load. The sled further includes processing circuitry configured to, in response to determining that the sled is mechanically coupled to the cradle, transfer the cradle and hardware load longitudinally along the factory rail.
Abstract:
A clean toggle clamp is configured to operate without creating excessive debris. The clean toggle clamp includes a base; an arm rotationally coupled to the base via a first bearing isolated rod; a clamping element; a handle is rotationally coupled to the arm via a second bearing isolated rod. The handle includes a revolving latching pin and a linkage rotationally coupled on a first end to the handle via at least one third bearing isolated rod and on a second end to the base via a fourth bearing isolated rod. The toggle clamp includes a secondary latch rotationally coupled to the base and configured to engage the revolving latching pin to inhibit movement of the handle and arm. The handle, arm, linkage and secondary latch are configured to rotate without a frictional sliding of any of surface of the arm, the handle, the linkage or the base.
Abstract:
Described herein is a positioning spring configured to rotatably engage with a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate relative to the positioning spring. The positioning spring comprises a first compliant lobe positioned at a first radial position. The first compliant lobe is configured to engage with one or more detent surfaces of the rotatable shaft to resist rotation of the rotatable shaft and to bias the rotatable shaft in one or more angular positions. The first compliant lobe is configured to flex upon engagement of the first compliant lobe with the rotatable shaft at a surface position out of contact with the detent surface.
Abstract:
An ultra-clean transportation and storage system includes a product storage container with a base having product supports and a segmented lid enclosing the product supports. Rollers on the base have grooved sidewalls receiving a rail to support the product storage container and rolling along the rail edges. Lift-off hinges allow lid removal only after a predetermined rotation. Seals, a one-way breather valve, and a gas inlet allow the interior of the enclosure to be purged. A friction brake on the product storage container has an integrated O-ring contact surface and a housing enclosing complementary acme threads for moving the brake. A transfer cart includes a rail on the lift arm to support the product storage container during movement, and alignment and docking mechanisms on a transfer end effector of the lift are for docking with either a storage spaced on a storage rack or a transfer space on a pass-through.
Abstract:
A cradle drive system includes a cradle drive sled. The sled includes a pin configured to mechanically couple the sled to a cradle. The cradle is configured to hold a hardware load for movement along a factory rail. The sled also includes a power interface configured to provide torque to move a hardware load. The sled further includes processing circuitry configured to, in response to determining that the sled is mechanically coupled to the cradle, transfer the cradle and hardware load longitudinally along the factory rail.
Abstract:
Described herein is a positioning spring configured to rotatably engage with a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft is configured to rotate relative to the positioning spring. The positioning spring comprises a first compliant lobe positioned at a first radial position. The first compliant lobe is configured to engage with one or more detent surfaces of the rotatable shaft to resist rotation of the rotatable shaft and to bias the rotatable shaft in one or more angular positions. The first compliant lobe is configured to flex upon engagement of the first compliant lobe with the rotatable shaft at a surface position out of contact with the detent surface.
Abstract:
Described herein is a retaining pin comprising a tubular outer shaft and a rotatable shaft disposed within the tubular outer shaft. The rotatable shaft is rotatably engaged with the tubular outer shaft. The rotatable shaft can comprise a locking protrusion fixed to an end of the rotatable shaft and that is operable to rotate with rotation of the rotatable shaft. An axis of the tubular outer shaft and an axis of the rotatable shaft are eccentric.
Abstract:
A system includes a carriage configured to move along a rail. The system also includes a clamping brake configured to selectively allow and prevent movement of the carriage along the rail. The clamping brake includes multiple brake pads configured to be moved inward to lock onto the rail and to be moved outward to release the rail. The clamping brake also includes multiple springs configured to apply spring forces that cause the brake pads to move inward and lock onto the rail. The clamping brake further includes a camshaft coupled to or including multiple eccentrics. The eccentrics are configured to overcome the spring forces and cause the brake pads to move outward and release the rail.
Abstract:
A clean toggle clamp is configured to operate without creating excessive debris. The clean toggle clamp includes a base; an arm rotationally coupled to the base via a first bearing isolated rod; a clamping element; a handle is rotationally coupled to the arm via a second bearing isolated rod. The handle includes a revolving latching pin and a linkage rotationally coupled on a first end to the handle via at least one third bearing isolated rod and on a second end to the base via a fourth bearing isolated rod. The toggle clamp includes a secondary latch rotationally coupled to the base and configured to engage the revolving latching pin to inhibit movement of the handle and arm. The handle, arm, linkage and secondary latch are configured to rotate without a frictional sliding of any of surface of the arm, the handle, the linkage or the base.