Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to assemble electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-07-17
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to assemble electrical device
C029S739000, C029S721000, C029S741000, C029S832000, C029S833000, C414S744600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260261
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool for attaching straddle-mounted edge components to a printed circuit board, and more particularly, to a tool that automatically attaches such components to an edge of a printed circuit board.
2. Description of Related Art
Printed circuit boards are common in personal computers and other electronic devices. Many times, printed circuit boards are connected to cables or other mechanical or electrical mechanical parts of the electronic devices through straddle-mounted or edge components, such as plugs and receptacles, mounted on edges of the circuit boards. The straddle-mounted or edge components are attached to an edge of the circuit board such that the edge component straddles, or overlaps, opposing surfaces of the printed circuit board. When attaching the edge components to a printed circuit board, it is important that the edge component be accurately aligned with the circuit board and that the edge component be attached without damaging the electronics of the printed circuit board or the printed circuit board itself.
In view of the complexity of modern circuits, an assembled printed circuit board can be quite densely packed. As a result, automated equipment for assembling such printed circuit boards must utilize a significant amount of loading elements in a relatively small space. Accordingly, it is desirable that the equipment for assembling the printed circuit board take up as little space as possible. Furthermore, in view of the large number of components that may be assembled onto a board, it is important that such components be loaded as quickly as possible. Another desirable feature of circuit board assembly equipment is that such equipment be as accurate as possible in order to minimize damage, and thus waste, to the components being assembled.
One conventional assembly tool for assembling edge components to printed circuit boards is the AMP Application Tool 767511 distributed by AMP, Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. The AMP tool includes a support plate for receiving a circuit board and a “pusher pivoting block” for holding an edge component. The pusher pivoting block is hinged at one end thereof to a mid-section of a base portion and includes an “inserter” for temporarily holding an edge component at another end thereof. The base portion includes a first end that is adjacent the support plate. However, the hinge connecting the pusher pivoting block to the base portion is located at a position on the base portion away from the support plate. Thus, the pivot point for the pusher pivoting block is separated from the circuit board support plate. As a result of this construction, the pusher pivoting block must be of a significant length and requires the end on which the edge component is temporarily held to swing through a relatively large arc. Furthermore, the inserter is specifically designed for each connector size, and must be ordered separately. In operation, the pusher pivoting block is manually lifted or pivoted upwardly so that an edge connector can be placed onto the inserter. After the edge connector is manually placed onto the inserter, the pusher pivoting block is manually returned to its lower, horizontal position, wherein it is substantially parallel with the base portion so that the edge component is in alignment with the printed circuit board. An operator then pulls a handle or manipulates other means to manually move the pusher pivoting block toward the circuit board so as to force the properly aligned edge component onto the circuit board.
However, the use of the AMP tool is manual labor intensive and requires a large space for the pusher pivoting block to pivot. Furthermore, because the AMP tool is intended to be operated manually, the operation is inherently slow, and is likely to result in inconsistent quality. For example, if the edge components are not handled properly, the leads of the components may be bent, or otherwise damaged.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
Accordingly, prior to the present invention, there was a need for an assembly tool that automatically aligns an edge component with a printed circuit board, as well as automatically attaches the edge component to the printed circuit board so as to increase the efficiency of assembly of assembling printed circuit boards with straddle-mounted edge components.
There was also a need for an automatic assembly tool that was space efficient.
The present invention relates to an assembly tool and method for automatically attaching straddle-mounted edge components to a printed circuit board. The present invention decreases the cycle time between attachments, and greatly reduces the occurrence of damage or assembly errors to the edge components and printed circuit boards due to manual handling of the edge components during the assembly process as compared to conventional assembly tools. Furthermore, the present invention can contribute to a more ergonomic manufacturing environment as compared to a conventional assembly tool by eliminating repetitive manual manufacturing steps. And, the assembly tool and method of the present invention are more space efficient than the prior art tools and methods.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an assembly tool includes a support plate that supports a printed circuit board during the attachment process and a sliding member which is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the support plate. A holder that is pivotably connected to one end of the sliding member receives and carries an edge component to be connected to the printed circuit board. A first actuator is connected to the sliding member and moves the sliding member between the first position and the second position. A second actuator is connected to the holder. The second actuator pivots the holder between a receiving position and a mounting position. The actuators move the holder and sliding member of the tool to first receive an edge component for attachment and then attach the edge component to an edge of a printed circuit board.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for automatically connecting edge components to a printed circuit board. According to the method, a printed circuit board is located on a support plate, and an edge component is positioned on a holder. A first actuator is then automatically activated to pivot the holder so that the edge component is aligned with an edge of the printed circuit board. Subsequently, a second actuator automatically forces the holder toward the printed circuit board and secures the edge component thereto.
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patent: 5007162 (1991-04-01), Weeber
patent: 5342460 (1994-08-01), Hidese
patent: 5743005 (1998-04-01), Nakao et al.
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patent: 5878484 (1999-03-01), Araya et al.
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AMP; Application Tool 767511; pp. 1-6; 1996.
Budgetary/Technical Proposal for Solectron—Austin; MICTOR Connector RFQ #98050; pp. 1-4; May 5, 1998.
Celestica Toronto; Universal Instruments Corporation; pp. 1-7; Aug. 7, 1998.
Lux Andrzej H.
Marks Christopher
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Chang Rick Kiltae
Huson Gregory L.
Universal Instruments Corporation
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