IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,029,046
Granted Patent B2
US 7,029,046 · App. 10/628,723 · Granted Apr 18, 2006

Level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment device

Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,029,046
App. No.
10/628,723
Granted
Apr 18, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment according to this invention comprises a fixed frame attached to a sub frame that is movable horizontally; a cylinder assembly, which is mounted on one side of the fixed frame, having a suction cup on its lower end; a flexible screw shaft disposed in the cylinder assembly so as to be connected with the suction cup; and an actuator that drives the flexible screw shaft to move vertically so that the cylinder assembly contracts and elongates. Accordingly, the vertical position of the suction cup can be adjusted in accordance with the shape of a work piece.

Claims (24)

1. A level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment device, comprising

a support member attached to a sub frame that is movable horizontally;

a cylinder assembly mounted on one side of the support member having a suction cup on its lower end;

a flexible screw shaft passing through the cylinder assembly so as to be connected to the suction cup; and

an actuator driving the flexible screw shaft so as to adjust the vertical position of the suction cup connected to the flexible screw shaft,

wherein the support member is provided with a guiding pipe thereon so that the flexible screw shaft is guided.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end of the guiding pipe is configured to be curved to 90 degrees with respect to the suction cup end of the screw shaft so as to prevent it from interfering with the sub frame.

3. A level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment device, comprising

a support member attached to a sub frame that is movable horizontally;

a cylinder assembly mounted on one side of the support member having a suction cup on its lower end;

a flexible screw shaft passing through the cylinder assembly so as to be connected to the suction cup; and

an actuator driving the flexible screw shaft so as to adjust the vertical position of the suction cup connected to the flexible screw shaft,

wherein the cylinder assembly comprises a plurality of nesting cylinders that are provided with upper stoppers protruding outward of the cylinders and lower stoppers protruding inward of the cylinders, and a cylinder with a smaller diameter snugly fits into a cylinder with a larger diameter.

4. An apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the actuator is a motor.

5. An apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:

a power transfer element interposed between the motor and the screw shaft,

wherein the power transfer element comprises a driving gear connected to the output shaft of the motor; and a driven gear outwardly meshed with the driving gear and inwardly meshed with the flexible screw shaft.

6. A level-adjusting apparatus for an attachment device, comprising

a support member attached to a sub frame that is movable horizontally;

a cylinder assembly mounted on one side of the support member having a suction cup on its lower end;

a flexible screw shaft passing through the cylinder assembly so as to be connected to the suction cup;

a motor driving the flexible screw so as to adjust the vertical position of the suction cup connected to the flexible screw shaft; and

a power transfer element interposed between the motor and the screw shaft,

wherein the power transfer element comprises a driving gear connected to the output shaft of the motor, and a driven gear outwardly meshed with the driving gear and inwardly meshed with the flexible screw shaft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2003
From: LIM, JEONG CHAN
To: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Reel/Frame 014347/0682 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2002-0081423 · Dec 18, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040130085A1 · Jul 8, 2004