IP Library Granted Patent US 9,370,865
Granted Patent B1
US 9,370,865 · App. 13/478,938 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Flexure based compliance device for use with an assembly device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,370,865
App. No.
13/478,938
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

Disclosed is a flexure based compliance device for use with an assembly device in an assembly process to assemble a device. The flexure based compliance device comprises: a coupling section configured for coupling to the assembly device; and a pair of double compound rectilinear flexures configured for coupling to the coupling section. The pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the assembly device in the assembly process.

Claims (21)

1. A flexure based compliance device for use with an assembly device in an assembly process to assemble a device, the flexure based compliance device comprising:

a coupling section configured for coupling to the assembly device; and

a pair of double compound rectilinear flexures configured for coupling to the coupling section, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures comprising interior rectilinear flexures and exterior rectilinear flexures, the interior and exterior rectilinear flexures being directly connected to each other and each of the interior and exterior rectilinear flexures comprising a pair of parallel and opposed wider sections and a pair of parallel and opposed thinner sections configured to provide a sufficient spring constant and proper elasticity to provide axial, translational, and rotational compliance to the assembly device in the assembly process.

2. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures are approximately 90 degrees apart from one another.

3. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures comprise stainless steel.

4. The flexure based compliance device of claim 3 , wherein, the stainless steel is formed to provide the spring constant.

5. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures are created by electro-discharge machining.

6. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, when, the assembly device is a gripper to pick and place a component, the gripper is coupled to the coupling section such that the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the gripper in picking and placing components.

7. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, the coupling section further comprises an opening.

8. The flexure based compliance device of claim 7 , wherein, when, the assembly device is a driver to drive a fastener, the driver is driven is through the opening of the coupling section such that the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the driver in driving the fastener.

9. The flexure based compliance device of claim 1 , wherein, the device to be assembled is a disk drive.

10. A method for using a flexure based compliance device with an assembly device in an assembly process to assemble a device, the method comprising:

coupling the assembly device to a coupling section of the flexure based compliance device, wherein a pair of double compound rectilinear flexures are coupled to the coupling section, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures comprising interior rectilinear flexures and exterior rectilinear flexures, the interior and exterior rectilinear flexures being directly connected to each other and each of the interior and exterior rectilinear flexures comprising a pair of parallel and opposed wider sections and a pair of parallel and opposed thinner sections configured to provide a sufficient spring constant and proper elasticity to provide axial, translational, and rotational compliance to the assembly device in the assembly process.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures are approximately 90 degrees apart from one another.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures comprise stainless steel.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein, the stainless steel is formed to provide the spring constant.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein, the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures are created by electro-discharge machining.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein, when, the assembly device is a gripper to pick and place a component, further comprising, coupling the gripper to the coupling section such that the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the gripper in picking and placing components.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein, the coupling section further comprises an opening.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein, when, the assembly device is a driver to drive a fastener, further comprising, driving the driver through the opening of the coupling section such that the pair of double compound rectilinear flexures provide both axial and translational compliance to the driver in driving the fastener.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein, the device to be assembled is a disk drive.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL 038744 FRAME 0481 Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058982/0556 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045501/0714 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038722/0229 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0281 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2016
From: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 038744/0481 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2012
From: VASUDEVAN, RAHOOL; VANGAL-RAMAMURTHY, JAMBUNATHAN
To: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 028258/0986 →