阅读说明：本技术 调平设备 (leveling device ) 是由 杰里米·约瑟夫·丹克 拉尔夫·贡扎加·拉格达梅奥 黄坤钿 林秉豪 于 2019-05-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于调平机器的自动调平设备,该机器包括多个支腿,每个支腿的长度可通过旋转与其相关联的相应啮合构件来调节,所述调平设备包括：处理单元；适于与所述处理单元通信连接的测斜计；以及动力扳手,其适于与所述啮合构件可释放地啮合,并且还适于与所述处理单元通信连接。(an automatic leveling apparatus for leveling a machine, the machine including a plurality of legs, the length of each leg being adjustable by rotating a respective engagement member associated therewith, the leveling apparatus comprising: a processing unit; an inclinometer adapted to be communicatively connected to the processing unit; and a power wrench adapted to releasably engage with the engagement member and further adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processing unit.)

1. a levelling apparatus for levelling a machine, the machine including a plurality of legs, the length of each leg being adjustable by rotation of its associated respective engagement member, the levelling apparatus comprising:

A processing unit;

an inclinometer adapted to be communicatively connected to the processing unit; and

A power wrench adapted to releasably engage with the engagement member and further adapted to be communicatively coupled with the processing unit.

2. the leveling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the power wrench comprises:

An engagement head comprising a gear wheel having a recess provided therein, the recess being dimensioned to at least partially receive the engagement member for engagement therewith in use,

an actuator, and

A gear train disposed between the actuator and the engagement head.

3. The leveling device as recited in claim 2 wherein the power wrench includes a processor for receiving a control signal from the processing unit and activating the actuator accordingly.

4. The leveling apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the power wrench comprises a securing mechanism for preventing the wrench from moving relative to the machine in use.

5. the leveling device as recited in claim 4 wherein the securing mechanism comprises a clamp adapted for releasable clamping engagement with the machine.

6. The leveling apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a second power wrench adapted to releasably engage with an engagement member and further adapted to communicatively connect with the processing unit.

7. the leveling device as recited in claim 6 wherein the power wrench and the second power wrench have different gear ratios.

8. the leveling device as recited in any one of claims 6 and 7 comprising at least one additional power wrench adapted to releasably engage with an engagement member and further adapted to communicatively couple with the processing unit.

9. The leveling device as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the inclinometer comprises a portable unit.

10. the leveling apparatus of any preceding claim, for leveling machines including Surface Mount Technology (SMT) machines and printing machines.

11. a method for levelling a machine comprising a plurality of legs, the length of each of said legs being adjustable by rotating a respective engagement member associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of:

i) Lifting a sufficient number of the legs off the floor until the machine is in contact with the floor by three legs;

ii) engaging an engagement member of a first leg in contact with the floor with a power wrench;

iii) positioning an inclinometer on the machine, the inclinometer operable to determine the inclination of the machine with respect to the horizontal and output measurement signals therefrom;

iv) operating a power wrench engaged with the engagement member of the first leg in dependence on the measurement signal;

v) engaging an engagement member of a second leg in contact with the floor with the power wrench; and

vi) operating a power wrench engaged with the engagement member of the second leg in dependence on the measurement signal.

12. a power wrench for use in the method of claim 11.

Technical Field

the invention relates to leveling equipment, a leveling method and a power wrench.

Background

Many high precision machines require precise leveling to achieve consistent and optimal operation. Specific examples of such machines are those used for producing circuit boards, such as printers for printing conductive patterns on semiconductor workpieces and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) machines for placing components on printed workpieces. These machines must not only be precisely leveled, but, since they are used in common production lines, must also be mounted so that their respective conveyor surfaces are arranged at the same vertical height, i.e. at a height above the ground (usually called "Z direction", where the vertical axis is called "Z axis"), so that the workpieces can be transferred smoothly between the different machines.

Typically, these machines have a substantially rectangular footprint and are provided with four legs, each leg being close to a respective corner of the machine, wherein at least three legs are adjustable in the Z-direction, i.e. they can be lengthened or shortened by rotating the respective engagement member associated with the leg. For example, the adjustable leg may include a threaded bolt that is screwed into a corresponding receiving hole of the machine main frame to adjust the length by rotating an engaging member of hexagonal cross-section integrally formed with the leg, wherein the position along the Z-axis may be locked by tightening a lock nut provided on the thread of the leg. At least one leg can be used as a reference leg, which is fixed at a desired length. For example, some printers may have five legs, four near corresponding corners, with the reference leg being provided in a central portion of the machine.

Currently, machine operators level these machines by manual operation, briefly described below:

i) Providing a level accurate to machine specifications which can be provided with the machine or can be placed separately in the horizontal plane of the machine;

ii) adjusting one leg of the machine to lift it off the ground, keeping the machine stationary with the remaining three legs as reference points. Before the leveling process starts, it must be ensured that the conveyor measures distances to the ground that are to be expected on both sides (for example 900mm, 930 mm and 950mm, standard transport heights);

iii) the machine operator uses a wrench and tightens and loosens the legs of the machine as needed to center the level bubble to the X and Y axes (X and Y axes are orthogonal to each other and to the Z axis); and

iv) once the purpose is achieved, the fourth leg is lowered to the ground and fastened by hand.

the above steps iii) and iv) require the machine operator to use a torque wrench to ensure that all four legs are tightened to a torque of 130 Nm.

However, there are various problems associated with these known methods. For example, an initial measured distance of 900mm from the conveyor to the surface has a margin of error. Other machines within the production line may also have errors that may accumulate on the production line.

During tightening and loosening of the legs to achieve leveling, the operator must often squat down to adjust the height of each leg and stand up to check the level. This creates problems with respect to ergonomics and may cause physical discomfort to the operator.

Many such machines have an uneven weight distribution, which may affect the leveling when releasing the fourth leg in step iv), which may require additional adjustment by the operator. Any uneven weight distribution also makes it more difficult for the heavier side of the machine to level because more effort is required to adjust the height.

The space into which the wrench enters to engage the leg nut is very narrow and the operator has to take the necessary steps to ensure that the wrench is suitable before making any adjustments.

furthermore, any differences in floor level along the production line are difficult to resolve.

The present invention aims to overcome the above problems and to provide an accurate and reliable leveling mechanism.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing an automation system for machine leveling. Advantageously, the auto-leveling system is easily portable and usable with a variety of different machines.

The solution of the invention makes use of a power wrench or a screw wrench comprising a drive means, such as an electric actuator, and a mechanical means for transferring drive from the drive means to the engagement head to rotate it and thereby apply a torque to the respective engagement member, such as a nut or a bolt head.

CN106813051A, US9643790B2, JP-A-2012-. However, the above system lacks flexibility, is costly and is complex, since the levelling device is built into the machine.

disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a levelling apparatus for levelling a machine, the machine comprising a plurality of legs, the length of each leg being adjustable by rotation of its associated respective engagement member, the levelling apparatus comprising:

A processing unit;

An inclinometer adapted to be communicatively connected to the processing unit; and

A power wrench adapted to releasably engage the engagement member and further adapted to be communicatively coupled to the processing unit.

according to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for levelling a machine, the machine comprising a plurality of legs, the length of each leg being adjustable by rotation of its associated respective engagement member, the method comprising the steps of:

i) Lifting a sufficient number of the legs off the floor until the machine is in contact with the floor by three legs;

ii) engaging an engagement member of a first leg in contact with the floor with a power wrench;

iii) positioning an inclinometer on the machine, the inclinometer operable to determine the inclination of the machine with respect to the horizontal and output measurement signals therefrom;

iv) operating a power wrench engaged with the engagement member of the first leg in dependence on the measurement signal;

v) engaging an engagement member of a second leg in contact with the floor with the power wrench; and

vi) operating a power wrench engaged with the engagement member of the second leg in dependence on the measurement signal.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a power wrench for use in a method according to the second aspect.

other specific aspects and features of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (not to scale) in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a leveling apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first power wrench according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the first power wrench of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a second power wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the second power wrench of fig. 4.

description of the reference numerals

1-levelling apparatus

2-inclinometer

3-one-way communication link

4-processing unit

5-main control board

6, 9-slave control board

7-first power wrench

8, 11-bidirectional communication link

10-second power wrench

12-actuator

13-actuator mounting plate

14-wrench body

15-screw

16-upper guide plate

17-lower guide plate

18-drive output unit

19-Gear

20-engaging head

21-concave part

22-axis

23-upper incision

24-lower incision

25-wrench body

29-gear.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a leveling device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. A portable digital inclinometer 2 is provided to determine the inclination of the machine (not shown). Such digital inclinometers are commercially available, for example, as available under the trade name Digi-pas (RTM). The inclinometer 2 may be placed on a nominally horizontal surface of the machine, such as an elevator table or a dedicated support surface, to determine the inclination of the surface. The inclinometer 2 is operable to output a measurement signal indicative of the determined inclination. A communication link 3 (here a unidirectional communication link) is provided from the inclinometer 2 to the processing unit 4 to transmit the measurement signals to the processing unit 4. Advantageously, the unidirectional communication link 3 is a wireless link, for example using bluetooth (RTM), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or other wireless systems, but a wired link may also be used, for example optionally using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. The processing unit 4 is operable to receive the measurement signals and to control the rest of the leveling device 1 accordingly. The processing unit 4 may comprise, for example, a computer such as a laptop computer, a mobile device such as a mobile phone, or a dedicated unit. The processing unit is operable to run software (installable, portable or embedded) to operate the leveling device. The main control board 5 is associated with the processing unit 4, and may be located within the processing unit 4 or communicably connected to the processing unit 4 from the outside. A suitable main control board may be, for example, an arduino (rtm) control board. The master control board 5 is communicatively linked to a slave control board 6 associated with a first power wrench 7 by a bi-directional communication link 8. Similarly, in this embodiment, the master control board 5 is communicatively linked to a second slave control board 9 associated with a second power wrench 10 by respective bidirectional communication links 11. The processing unit 4 sends control signals to the power wrenches 7 and 10 using the bidirectional communication links 8 and 11 and receives feedback thereof. The bidirectional communication links 8 and 11 are advantageously wireless links, for example using bluetooth (RTM), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or other wireless systems, but wired links may also be used, for example optionally using Universal Serial Bus (USB) cables. Suitable slave control boards 6 and 9 may be, for example, arduino (rtm) control boards operable to drive the respective power wrenches 7 and 10 in accordance with received control signals and to send feedback signals to the processing unit 4 indicative of the operation of the respective power wrenches 7 and 10.

Fig. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, schematically showing a first power wrench 7 according to the present invention. An actuator 12, such as a dc rotary motor, is attached to the wrench body 14 via an actuator mounting plate 13 by using a plurality of screws 15. The wrench body 14 is defined by an upper guide plate 16 and a lower guide plate 17, between which a plurality of gears 19 forming a gear train or a power train are accommodated. The lower guide plate 17 includes a protruding shaft 22, and each gear 19 is rotatable around the protruding shaft 22. As shown, the rightmost gear 19 receives torque from the drive output 18 of the actuator 12, causing the gear 19 to rotate in use. Distal to the drive train is an engagement head 20 which forms a gear wheel with a radial recess 21. The recess 21 is dimensioned to at least partially receive the leg engaging member to provide engagement therewith in use. The respective cut-out portions 23 and 24 in the upper guide plate 16 and the lower guide plate 17 near the engaging head 20 allow the engaging member to enter the recess 21 without hindrance. Thus, the first power wrench 7 forms an open-end wrench or a screw wrench.

Advantageously, the power wrench 7 comprises a securing mechanism (not shown) for preventing the power wrench 7 from moving relative to the machine in use. By providing such a mechanism it is ensured that the application of torque to the engagement member of the leg will cause rotation of the engagement member rather than the power wrench. While there are various ways to implement such a securing mechanism, a simple and conservative solution is to provide a clamp (not shown) secured to the power wrench 7 that is adapted to releasably, clampingly engage with a portion of the machine.

The first power wrench 7 is relatively long and may therefore not be suitable for use with all legs of all machines. It is thus possible to use a second power wrench 10 which is shorter than the first power wrench 7. Fig. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, schematically showing a second power wrench 10 according to the present invention. The second power wrench 10 is very similar to the first power wrench 7 and therefore need not be described in detail, but its gear train comprises fewer gears 29, so the wrench body 25 can be correspondingly shorter. Advantageously, the transmission ratio of the second power wrench 10 may be different from the transmission ratio of the first power wrench 7, discussed in detail below.

an exemplary method of leveling a machine placed on a floor using the above leveling apparatus will now be described:

i) a sufficient number of legs are lifted off the floor until the machine is in contact with the floor via three legs. It is important that the legs are not collinear, i.e. it is not possible to form a straight axis through all three legs. Preferably, but not necessarily, one of the three legs is a fixed length reference leg;

ii) the operator positions an inclinometer on a flat, generally horizontal surface of the machine, the inclinometer being operable to determine the inclination of the machine relative to the horizontal and output measurement signals therefrom. This step may be performed before step i) above. In other embodiments, such inclinometers may be permanently located on the machine. In any case, the inclinometer is switched on, connected to a power supply if necessary, and communicatively linked to the processing unit to send a measurement signal representative of the inclination of the machine to the processing unit. The measurement signal is referenced to the fixed leg providing the final level, so after leveling is complete, the length of the fixed leg will be set to the absolute height of the machine above the floor;

iii) the operator places a power wrench as shown in fig. 2 or 4 on the engagement member of the first adjustable leg that contacts the floor. The power wrench is connected to a power source and communicatively connected to the processing unit. The power wrench is selected, for example, from the first power wrench 7 and the second power wrench 10 so that its gear ratio is most suitable for the particular leg to be connected. For example, many SMT machines have uneven weight distribution, and therefore some legs may require more torque to be applied to achieve adjustment. This step can also be carried out before the above steps i) and ii);

iv) an operator using the power wrench to position the engagement member of the second adjustable leg in contact with the floor. There are a variety of ways in which this can be accomplished. In a preferred embodiment a second power wrench is used and both the first and second power wrenches are placed in engagement with the respective legs for subsequent simultaneous control by the processing unit (see step v below). This provides the fastest leveling procedure. The first and second power wrenches may be the same size, or different sized wrenches may be used as desired. Alternatively, however, full leveling may be obtained by sequential leveling, i.e. by adjusting the first and second adjustable legs in sequence. It should be understood here that since the legs are not collinear, the inclination of the components of the machine can be corrected individually. By using this method, the same wrench can be used for the first and second adjustable legs;

v) the processing unit receives the measurement signal from the inclinometer and outputs a control signal to operate any engaged power wrench to move the machine to a horizontal attitude in accordance with the measurement signal. The movement of the power wrench will serve to change the inclination of the machine along an axis, i.e. along a horizontal axis passing through the fixed leg and the leg engaged with the wrench. Each wrench is automatically controlled until the tilt along the respective axis is minimized. Advantageously, the processing unit runs a leveling algorithm using a hierarchical approach. In the initial leveling step, the apparatus adjusts the leg length until the inclination along each axis is within a preselected relatively large range. In a subsequent step, the apparatus adjusts the leg length until the inclination along each axis is within a small range, and in successive subsequent steps the range is gradually reduced. Finally, a levelling step is carried out so that the inclination along each axis is zero, determined by the inclinometers;

vi) when the inclinometer indicates zero inclination along both axes, the leveling operation is complete and the operator can remove any engaged wrench. They are then used to lower any raised legs onto the floor, thereby fully supporting the machine. As in step iii) above, a wrench is selected having the appropriate gear ratio with respect to the leg. Preferably, a lower gear ratio is used to provide accurate control of the descent. This helps to avoid the possibility of introducing a level error as the leg is lowered.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in the case of a four-legged machine with one fixed leg, in step i) a range of two adjustable legs that remain in contact with the floor can be selected, either at adjacent corners of the machine or at opposite corners. Preferably, the operator will inform the processing unit about the relevant situation. This enables the leveling algorithm to select the most appropriate range of inclinations in different stages of the leveling process.

The above embodiments are exemplary only, and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the leveling apparatus may include more than two power wrenches. In this way, all adjustable legs can be adjusted simultaneously.