Apparatus for automatically testing and sorting electrical elements

Claim 2

In combination: a pickup station, a test station and a drop station for electrical elements, said stations being horizontally spaced along an arc of a circle; means for moving electrical elements in single file to said pickup station; a vertical shaft rotatable on the axis of the circle; a spider carried by said shaft and having a number of arms movable above said stations; a vacuum pickup device carried by each arm and adapted to be moved along the arc above said stations; means to effect stepwise angular movement of said shaft so that each pickup device successively stops above said pickup, test and drop stations; means operable at the end of each stepwise shaft movement to lower and then raise the shaft, each pickup device being adapted when lowered at the pickup station to engage an electrical element thereat, said raising and lowering means being operable to keep said shaft in its upper position during stepwise angular movement thereof; means to connect each pickup device to a vacuum source when it reaches its position above the pickup station, and to cut off its connection to the vacuum source when it reaches its position above the drop station; each pickup device retaining by suction an element engaged thereby at the pickup station until it reaches its position above the drop station, where the element is released when the pickup is cut off from the vacuum source; contacts for engaging an element carried by a pickup device at spaced points when such pickup device is lowered at the test station, wherein said contacts include a respective contact carried by each pickup device for engaging an electrical element thereon, and a contact fixed on said post; wiper contact means movable with said spider; a stationary contact engageable by said wiper contact means during vertical movement of said spider; means operable while each pickup device is at the test station to conductively connect the contact carried thereby to said wiper contact means; measuring means coupled to said contacts for developing a signal representative of a predetermined electrical characteristic of an element; and means operable by said measuring means for sorting elements released at the drop station into groups in accordance with the measurements of the predetermined electrical characteristic thereof made at the test station.

Claim 3

In combination: a pickup station, a test station and a drop station for electrical elements, said stations being horizontally spaced along an arc of a circle; means for moving electrical elements in single file to said pickup station; a vertical shaft rotatable on the axis of the circle; a spider carried by said shaft and having a number of arms movable above said stations; a vacuum pickup device carried by each arm and adapted to be moved along the arc above said stations; means to effect stepwise angular movement of said shaft so that each pickup device successively stops above said pickup, test and drop stations; means operable at the end of each stepwise shaft movement to lower and then raise the shaft, each pickup device being adapted when lowered at the pickup station to engage an electrical element thereat, said raising and lowering means being operable to keep said shaft in its upper position during stepwise angular movement thereof; means to connect each pickup device to a vacuum source when it reaches its position above the pickup station, and to cut off its connection to the vacuum source when it reaches its position above the drop station; each pickup device retaining by suction an element engaged thereby at the pickup station until it reaches its position above the drop station, where the element is released when the pickup is cut off from the vacuum source; contacts for engaging an element carried by a pickup device at spaced points when such pickup device is lowered at the test station, wherein said contacts include a respective contact carried by each pickup device for engaging an electrical element thereon, and a contact fixed on said post; wiper contact means movable with said spider; a stationary contact engageable by said wiper contact means during vertical movement of said spider; means operable while each pickup device is at the test station to conductively connect the contact carried thereby to said wiper contact means; measuring means coupled to said contacts for developing a signal representative of a predetermined electrical characteristic of an element; and means operable by said measuring means for sorting elements released at the drop station into groups in accordance with the measurements of the predetermined electrical characteristic thereof made at the test station.

Claim 4

In combination: a pickup station, a test station and a drop station for electrical elements, said stations being horizontally spaced along an arc of a circle; means for moving electrical elements in single file to said pickup station; a vertical shaft rotatable on the axis of the circle; a spider carried by said shaft and having a number of arms movable above said stations; a vacuum pickup device carried by each arm and adapted to be moved along the arc above said stations; means to effect stepwise angular movement of said shaft so that each pickup device successively stops above said pickup, test and drop stations; means operable at the end of each stepwise shaft movement to lower and then raise the shaft, each pickup device being adapted when lowered at the pickup station to engage an electrical element thereat, said raising and lowering means being operable to keep said shaft in its upper position during stepwise angular movement thereof; means to connect each pickup device to a vacuum source when it reaches its position above the pickup station, and to cut off its connection to the vacuum source when it reaches its position above the drop station; each pickup device retaining by suction an element engaged thereby at the pickup station until it reaches its position above the drop station, where the element is released when the pickup is cut off from the vacuum source; contacts for engaging an element carried by a pickup device at spaced points when such pickup device is lowered at the test station, wherein said contacts include a respective contact carried by each pickup device for engaging an electrical element thereon, and a contact fixed on said post; wiper contact means movable with said spider; a stationary contact engageable by said wiper contact means during vertical movement of said spider; means operable while each pickup device is at the test station to conductively connect the contact carried thereby to said wiper contact means; measuring means coupled to said contacts for developing a signal representative of a predetermined electrical characteristic of an element; and means operable by said measuring means for sorting elements released at the drop station into groups in accordance with the measurements of the predetermined electrical characteristic thereof made at the test station.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1, including means for scanning elements moving toward said pickup station, said scanning means being operable to distinguish which surface of an element is facing up; and means operable by said scanning means to remove from the line of elements moving toward said pickup station those elements which do not have a predetermined surface facing up.

Claim 6

In combination: a pickup station, a test station and a drop station for electrical elements, said stations being horIzontally spaced along an arc of a circle; means for moving electrical elements in single file to said pickup station, including a vibratable bowl having a spiral ramp along which elements are movable, and a vibratable in-line feeder onto which elements pass off said ramp, said in-line feeder having an end stop; a vertical shaft rotatable on the axis of the circle; a spider carried by said shaft and having a number of arms movable above said stations; a vacuum pickup device carried by each arm and adapted to be moved along the arc above said stations; means to effect stepwise angular movement of said shaft so that each pickup device successively stops above said pickup, test and drop stations; means operable at the end of each stepwise shaft movement to lower and then raise the shaft, each pickup device at the pickup station engaging the element adjacent said stop when said shaft is lowered, the major portion of said in-line feeder being inclined and having an inner lip against which the elements ride, the portion of said in-line feeder immediately adjacent said stop being horizontal, said lowering and raising means being operable to maintain said shaft in its upper position during stepwise angular movement thereof; means to connect each pickup device to a vacuum source when it reaches its position above the pickup station, and to cut off its connection to the vacuum source when it reaches its position above the drop station, each pickup device retaining by suction an element engaged thereby at the pickup station until it reaches its position above the drop station, where the element is released when the pickup device is cut off from the vacuum source; a post at said test station; contacts mounted on said post for engaging an element carried by a pickup device at spaced points when such pickup device is lowered at the test station; measuring means coupled to said contacts for developing a signal representative of a predetermined electrical characteristic of an element; and means operable by said measuring means for sorting elements released at the drop station into groups in accordance with the measurements of the predetermined electrical characteristics thereof made at the test station.

Claim 7

In combination: a pickup station, a test station and a drop station for electrical elements, said stations being horIzontally spaced along an arc of a circle; means for moving electrical elements in single file to said pickup station, including a vibratable bowl having a spiral ramp along which elements are movable, and a vibratable in-line feeder onto which elements pass off said ramp, said in-line feeder having an end stop; a vertical shaft rotatable on the axis of the circle; a spider carried by said shaft and having a number of arms movable above said stations; a vacuum pickup device carried by each arm and adapted to be moved along the arc above said stations; means to effect stepwise angular movement of said shaft so that each pickup device successively stops above said pickup, test and drop stations; means operable at the end of each stepwise shaft movement to lower and then raise the shaft, each pickup device at the pickup station engaging the element adjacent said stop when said shaft is lowered, the major portion of said in-line feeder being inclined and having an inner lip against which the elements ride, the portion of said in-line feeder immediately adjacent said stop being horizontal, said lowering and raising means being operable to maintain said shaft in its upper position during stepwise angular movement thereof; means to connect each pickup device to a vacuum source when it reaches its position above the pickup station, and to cut off its connection to the vacuum source when it reaches its position above the drop station, each pickup device retaining by suction an element engaged thereby at the pickup station until it reaches its position above the drop station, where the element is released when the pickup device is cut off from the vacuum source; a post at said test station; contacts mounted on said post for engaging an element carried by a pickup device at spaced points when such pickup device is lowered at the test station; measuring means coupled to said contacts for developing a signal representative of a predetermined electrical characteristic of an element; and means operable by said measuring means for sorting elements released at the drop station into groups in accordance with the measurements of the predetermined electrical characteristics thereof made at the test station.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 3, wherein said means for moving electrical elements includes a vibratable bowl and a straight feeder block along which elements move from said bowl, the end of said block being the pickup station; a stop at the end of said block to be engaged by the element in front of the file moving along said block; said scanning means including means above said block for directing a beam of light onto elements passing along said block; means for receiving light reflected from the elements; a network including photoelectric means coupled to said light receiving means; a conduit positioned to direct air against an element onto which light is directed; and means selectively operable by said network for connecting said conduit to a source of air, said photoelectric means being responsive to light of predetermined intensity from said light receiving means to operate said network and cause said selectively operable means to connect said conduit to the air source to force the scanned element off said block and into the bowl.

Claim 9

In combination: a housing; a vertical shaft having its lower end extending into and supported in said housing for rotational and axial movement; means normally biasing said shaft to a lower position; an input drive shaft rotatable in said housing; gear means continuously rotatable from said drive shaft; a pivoted L-shaped lever having one leg engaging said shaft; a cam engaging the other leg of said lever and continuously rotatable by said gear means, said cam during each operation causing said lever to hold said vertical shaft to an upper position for a predetermined interval of each rotation Of said cam, said biasing means forcing said vertical shaft to the lower position between intervals; means coupling said gear means and vertical shaft to effect predetermined angular rotation of such shaft during each interval; a multi-arm spider on the upper end of said vertical shaft; a vacuum pickup device on each arm; and means to successively connect each pickup device to a vacuum source throughout a predetermined number of said intervals including a cylindrical block, said block having a port for connection to a vacuum source, said block having a first groove of predetermined length in its lateral face that is concentric with the axis of said block, said port being in fluid communication with said groove, said block having its lateral face grooved to a depth less that that of said first groove and extending from said first groove; a seal on said lateral surface surrounding the grooves therein; a sleeve around said block and rotatable by said shaft, said sleeve sealingly engaging said seal; said sleeve having a plurality of openings successively moving in alignment with said first groove during angular rotation of said shaft, and each successively moving in alignment with the shallower grooved face portion during successive movements of said vertical shaft to its lower position, whereby each sleeve opening remains in communication with the vacuum source as it traverses the length of said first groove, and is cut off from the vacuum source as it traverses the portion of the block between the ends of said first groove; and a respective conduit connected between each sleeve opening and one of said vacuum pickup devices.

Claim 10

In combination: a housing; a vertical shaft having its lower end extending into and supported in said housing for rotational and axial movement; means normally biasing said shaft to a lower position; an input drive shaft rotatable in said housing; gear means continuously rotatable from said drive shaft; a pivoted L-shaped lever having one leg engaging said shaft; a cam engaging the other leg of said lever and continuously rotatable by said gear means, said cam during each operation causing said lever to hold said vertical shaft to an upper position for a predetermined interval of each rotation Of said cam, said biasing means forcing said vertical shaft to the lower position between intervals; means coupling said gear means and vertical shaft to effect predetermined angular rotation of such shaft during each interval; a multi-arm spider on the upper end of said vertical shaft; a vacuum pickup device on each arm; and means to successively connect each pickup device to a vacuum source throughout a predetermined number of said intervals including a cylindrical block, said block having a port for connection to a vacuum source, said block having a first groove of predetermined length in its lateral face that is concentric with the axis of said block, said port being in fluid communication with said groove, said block having its lateral face grooved to a depth less that that of said first groove and extending from said first groove; a seal on said lateral surface surrounding the grooves therein; a sleeve around said block and rotatable by said shaft, said sleeve sealingly engaging said seal; said sleeve having a plurality of openings successively moving in alignment with said first groove during angular rotation of said shaft, and each successively moving in alignment with the shallower grooved face portion during successive movements of said vertical shaft to its lower position, whereby each sleeve opening remains in communication with the vacuum source as it traverses the length of said first groove, and is cut off from the vacuum source as it traverses the portion of the block between the ends of said first groove; and a respective conduit connected between each sleeve opening and one of said vacuum pickup devices.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 5, wherein said vertical shaft extends through said cylindrical block.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 6, wherein each pickup device includes a tubular element extending through an arm of the spider; a plunger extending through said tubular element, the upper end of said plunger being connected to one end of the conduit that connects the pickup device to an opening in said sleeve, said plunger having a flange spaced from its lower end; and a compression spring between said flange and the lower end of said tubular element.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 7, including a plastic sleeve on the lower end of said plunger, the lower end of said plastic sleeve extending below the lower end of said plunger; and a snap ring on the portion of said plunger extending above said tubular element, said tubular element being slidable in the spider arm through which it extends.