Патент USA US2390012

NOV. 27, 1945..
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R_ c_ TlMM ET AL
2,390,012
INSPECTION MACHINE
Filed Nov. 28, 1942
4 Sheets-Sheet l
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Nov. 27, 1945.
R. c. TIMM.ETAL
INSPECTION MACHINE
Filed Noy. 28,. 1942
2,390,012
»
4 Sheets-Sheet 2
Patented Nov. 27, 1945
2,390,012
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,390,012
INSPECTION MACHINE
Roy 0. Timm, Buffalo, and John Rothfuss,
Orchard Park, N. Y., assignors to Trico Prod
ucts Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y
Application November 28, 1942, Serial No. 467,252
9 Claims.
This invention relates to inspection machines
and more particularly to the automatic type _of
such machines.
Its principal object is to eliminate the human
factor in the inspection of mass production parts
by providing e?icient mechanical means whereby
such parts are gauged in a, practical manner to
allowed tolerances and whereby those parts hav
ing any inaccuracies in their various tolerances
are quickly and automatically detected and re
jected. A further object is to provide a machine
having in addition to the above characteristics
the ability to sort the rejected parts into groups
of similar inaccuracies, and a still further object
to provide a machine to count the accepted parts
to a predetermined number and then shut itself
off.
Other objects and advantages will be ap
parent from the following detailed description
and claims.
_In the drawings:
embracing or supporting a work piece l5, such as
a bullet core.
Fixed to the table about and ad
jacent the periphery of the carrier is a starting
and feeding station l6 and a plurality of inspec
tion or gauging stations ll, l8, I9 and 20, each
of said gauging stations having an automatic re
jection device 2|, 2|’, 2| a and Zlb respectively,
associated therewith. The numeral 22 designates
a counter for enumerating the accepted cores and
23 denotes an automatic switch for shutting off
the machine at a predetermined number. -
The general sequence-of the machine’s opera
tion is as follows.
A part, or bullet core, is fed
into the carrier at the feeding station and is
rotated by increments to the various inspection
stations where they are gauged. Station ll
gauges for oversize diameter, station l8 for un
dersize diameter,v station l9 for oversize length,
and station 20 for undersize length.
.
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a driving
means;
(01. 209-88)
-
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View
of one of the inspection stations;
When a core
20 successfully passes all these stations it is counted
at station 22 and dropped through an opening
in the table into its designated receptacle. If
the core does not pass inspection at any one of
the gauging stations the coacting rejection device
associated with that particular station is auto
matically actuated and the core will fall through
thereof;
a trap door into a designated receptacle for that
.Fig. 5 is a, sectional view of the inspection sta
station. A more detailed description of this il
tion taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3;
lustrated embodiment of the invention follows.
Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of another in 30
The drive means I3 is located beneath the table
spection station partially in section, taken along
II and comprises a, motor 24 for rotatively driv
line 6-—6 of Fig. 1;
ing an eccentric 21 through a speed reducer 28,
Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the inspec
belt drive 29 and av horizontal countershaft 30.
tion station illustrated in Fig.’ 6;
A second horizontal countershaft 3| laterally
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a part 35 spaced from the ?rst has a bevel gear 32 ?xed
positioning means;
to its inner end and. is intermittently driven by
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the
a ratchet 33 mounted thereon and a‘pawl 34
starting and feeding station;
pivotally carried by a ?nger 37- which is con
Fig. 10 is a detailed elevational view of a part
nected to the eccentric 21 for oscillatory recipe
40 rocation by a connecting rod 38. Extending up
embracing element;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational View of the part
wardly through the table II and having a driving
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the rejection means
positioning means;
Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the inter
connection with carrier I2 is a central vertical
shaft 39 which receives the intermittent motion
of the gear 32 through an intermeshed bevel gear
45
Fig. 13 is a view taken along line I3-l3 of
40. The countershaft 39 has fixed thereon a pair
Fig. 4; and
of cams 4i and 42 for actuating a pair of inter
‘Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical
. locking micro-switches 43 and 44, respectively,
system of the machine.
"
the function of which will be described later.
The illustrated embodiment of the invention
The openings I4 in the carrier [2 have ?tted
comprises a table II upon which is mounted a
therein part embracing elements 46 of hardened
part carrier l2, herein illustrated as a disc, ‘for
metal, comprising a tubular seat portion 41 and
receiving increments of rotative movements by
a pair of depending part embracing ?ngers 48.
a drive means l3.v On the carrier l2 at selected
Beneath the carrier l2 and ?xed to the table II
intervals are a plurality of work piece holders
by bolts 49 and of complementary disc shape is a
55
herein illustrated in the'form of openings M for‘
platform 50 having a circular channel or guide
locking switch means;
‘
2
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oversize, the plunger would be pushed outwardly
way 5| into which the ?ngers 4B depend. An
anti-friction bearing 52 mounted on the platform
59 about the shaft 39 supports the carrier l2
slightly spaced above the platform to allow free
against a short arm 69 of an amplifying bell
crank lever 10 which is pivotally mounted on a
pedestal ‘H. The long arm 12 of the lever 10
would increase or amplify the movement of the
plunger a sufficient amount to actuate the contac
tor 13 of a micro-switch 14 which is normally
rotation thereof. However, to assure positive p-o
sitioning of the carrier at each station, a plurality
of spring and ball detent means 53 are provided.
The starting and feeding station comprises a
quadrant shaped member 54 pivotally connected
to the shaft 39 having a ?nger 51 extending ra
dially therefrom and resting upon a supporting
pedestal 58. The quadrant shape of this member
open. The plunger 68 is normally held out against
the short arm of the lever by a light compression
10 spring 11 positioned around the plunger between
a head 18 on its outer end and the outer periph
provides a covering for a part of the carrier l2
ery of the platform 50. To vary the maximum
allowed tolerance of the part to be gauged the
micro-switch is slidably mounted on a block 19
to protect the operator from being injured by
moving parts. On the side of the pedestal 58 is 15 by means of adjusting screws 89, 8|. By backing
off screw 89 the switch is urged away from the
fastened a normally open micro-switch 59 having
long arm 12 of the lever 10 by springs 82 on the
its actuating lever 60 extending beneath and ac
screws 8| allowing the light spring 11 to move the
tuated by the ?nger 51 when the ?nger is in the
tip of the plunger outwardly of the channel until
position shown in Fig. 1. A guiding sleeve 6| hav
ing an opening 62 is ?tted into the part 54 in a 20 the long arm 12 again contacts the switch con
tactor 13 thereby increasing the allowed maxi
position to register with one of the parts 46 when
mum tolerance. To decrease this tolerance the
the carrier is held at rest by the detent means 53.
reverse procedure is followed. Screw 80 is turned
It is through this sleeve that the cores l5 are fed
inwardly
pressing the switch 14 against the ten
into the parts 46 to be advanced by the carrier
l2 to the various gauging stations. By making the 25 sion of springs 82 and the switch contactor 13
against the long arm ‘I2. This rotates the lever
opening 62 of this sleeve to a de?nite tolerance
19 counterclockwise against the plunger 68 there
it acts as a preliminary oversize diameter gaug
by pressing it inwardly of the channel 5| against
ing station and by making the distance from the
spring 1'! thereby decreasing the allowed toler
bottom of the guideway 5| to the bottom of the
sleeve a predetermined length it acts as a pre 30 ance.
The closing of switch 74 by an oversize core ac
gauging means for oversize length. When a core
tuates an indicator or other device such as a sole
is of a size to pass through this preliminary gaug
noid 83 of the rejection station 2| associated with
ing station but is too large to be completely re
station ll. Actuation of this solenoid causes its
ceived by the part 46 it serves as a means to lock
the member 54 with the carrier H! as shown by 35 plunger 84 to be drawn upwardly thereby rotating
2. bell crank 81 clockwise about its pivot 88 to
the broken line position of the core in Fig. 9.
withdraw a gate 89 pivotally connected thereto
When this occurs the next increment of move
at 99, from the channel 51 and allowing the over
ment of the carrier 12 will rotate the member 54
size
core on the next increment of movement to
about the shaft 39 and away from contact with
the switch actuating lever 60 thereby releasing 40 drop through a chute 9| to a receiver 95 located
on a platform 96 positioned beneath the table II.
the lever which breaks the circuit and shuts off
To hold the gate 89 open until the rejected
the motor 24 for stopping the machine. If the
core
drops through it, a latch pin 92 freely piv
core is longer than the distance between the bot
oted at 93 to a rocker arm 94 is positioned to drop
tom of the guideway and bottom of the sleeve it
will likewise interlock the carrier with the ?nger 45 into an opening 91 in .the gate 89 when the lat
ter is Withdrawn from the channel. The rocker
and shut off the machine on the next increment
arm 94 is pivotally mounted at 96 on a block
of movement. ‘A tension spring 62 normally
98 fastened to the table I l adjacent the periphery
holds the ?nger 51 in position against a stop 63
of the carrier l2 and is provided at its outer end
on the pedestal whereby sleeve Si is held in its
operative registry with the parts 46. When the 50 with an upstanding cam surface 99. A coil spring
94’ normally urges the pin 92 downwardly and
?nger is rotated as described above it drops be
the cam surface upwardly into the path of ?n
hind an abutment 64 on top of the pedestal which
gers I90 extending radially from the carrier [2
holds it against the spring tension. When the
which on the next increment of movement will
carrier is cleared of the locked condition a slight
upward push by the operator will permit the ?n 55 contact the sam surface 99 thereby depressing
the outer end of the rocker arm and raise the
ger to snap back to its operative position against
pin from the opening to release the gate for clos
the stop 63 actuating the switch 59 and starting
ing under the urge of the solenoid spring (not
the carrier moving again. At the termination of
shown). If the core is within the allowed maxi
each increment of rotation a new core is dropped
into the carrier through the sleeve 6|.
60 mum tolerance it will pass by station I1 without
actuating the trap door 89 but continue over it to
When the core is the correct size to be received
the next inspection station l8.
by the part 48 of the carrier I2 it is moved around
Station It is for gauging cores of undersize di
to the ?rst inspection station H for gauging over
ameter and is similar in construction to the Pre
size diameters. On its arrival a pair of spring
pressed plungers 61 (Fig. 5) acting between the 65 vious station I‘! with the exceptions that the
micro -switch 14’ is normally closed and the plung
?ngers 4B of the part 46 engages the core to posi
er 69’ is set so that the distance between the
tion it ?rmly against a hardened insert 65 in the
back of the channel and the tip of the plunger
back wall of the channel 5!. The gauging opera
is equal to the minimum allowed tolerance. A
tion is accomplished by means of a plunger 68 lo
cated in this embodiment between the pair of 70 rejection station 2|’ exactly the same as that pre
spring pressed plungers 61 and having its inner
tip extending into the channel 5| .a sufficient dis
tance to allow a core of the maximum allowed tol
erance to pass between the tip and the hardened
' insert without actuating it.
Should the core be
viously described is associated with this station
for rejecting undersize cores.
Connected in se
riés with the micro-switch ‘I4’ is the previously
mentioned interlocking micro-switch 43 which lat
ter is normally open.
When the core reaches
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3
station I8 it is within the allowed maximum tol
The other end has an opening I30 through which
erance but it may or may not be within the al
an adjusting screw I3I passes and screws into an
lowed minimum tolerance. Considering ?rst, that
underlying co-extensive arm I32 rigidly mounted
on the pedestal II3. A spring I33 holds the le
ver I29 upwardly against the head of the screw
I3I. To vary the allowed tolerance of the maxi
mum length of the core the adjusting screw I3I
is turned inwardly or outwardly of the part I32
thereby rotating the block II9 about its pivot
the core is within minimum tolerance the plunger
68' is actuated and through the amplifying bell
crank ‘I0’ and switch contactor ‘I3’ opens the
switch 14’.
At the same time cam 4i on coun
tershaft 30 closes the interlocking switch 43 but
because switch ‘I4’ is now open the associated
rejection station 2I' is not actuated and the core 10 H8 in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction
moves over the trap door to the next station.
as viewed in Fig. 6. Rotation of block II9 carry
On the other hand if the‘ core is undersize it
ing switch I20 moves the contactor I24 upwardly
would not actuate the plunger ‘08’ thereby leav
or downwardly thereby allowing the spring to
ing the switch ‘I4’ closed and as the interlocking
raise the plunger to increase the distance between
switch 43 is in series with switch ‘I4’ and has been 15 its tip I22 and the bottom of the channel or forc
closed by the cam 4I when the core reaches this
ing plunger I2I downwardly to decrease the said
station, the associated rejection station 2I' is ac
distance.
tuated, thereby opening the trap door, and the
Actuation of the plunger I2I by an overlength
core drops through a chute (similar to chute 9|)
core operates the associated rejection station 2 Ia,
on the next increment of movement to the associ 20 which is exactly similar to the previously de
ated receiver 95’.
scribed rejection stations 2I and 2|’ and allows
Interposed between stations I8 and I9 is a de
the .core to drop through the trap door to the
vice IOI for assuring positive seating of the core
associated receiver 95a. If the core is within the
on the channel floor in preparation for length
maximum tolerance the trap door remains closed
gauging at stations I9 and 20. This seating de 25 and the core passes over it to the next inspection
vice comprises a vertical standard I02 fastened
station 20.
Inspection station 20 is for gauging undersized
to the table II by screws I03, and an inturned
bracket part I04 overhanging the embracing ele
length cores and is exactly similar in. construc
ments 46 as they pass therebeneath. Pivotally
tion to the previously described station I9 ex
mounted at I0'I on the standard I02 and supported 30 cept that the distance between the tip I22 of the
by lugs I08 in a substantially horizontal plane
plunger I 2| and the floor of the channel is set
between the bracket part I04 and the immedi
for the minimum allowed tolerance and the
ately underlying element 46 is a plate I09 held
micro-switch I20’ is normally closed‘. To vary
in its lowermost position against the lugs I03 by
this tolerance the same procedure as described
compression springs H0. The outer active por 35 for the above station I9 is followed. In its oper
tion of this plate is formed or disposed at an in
ation this station is similar to the operation of
cline so that its leading edge III will be of suf
station I8. Connected in series with micro-switch
I 20' is the previously mentioned normally open
?cient height above the channel ?oor to allow
interlocking micro-switch 44 for operating the
the introduction of a core of more than the de
sired maximum length while the trailing edge I I2 40 associate rejection station 2Ib. During the
will be of sufficient height above the channel
time the core is at this station the cam 42 holds
?oor to press cores of less than the desired mini
the switch 44 closed. When the core reaches this
mum length ?rmly thereagainst. As viewed in
station it is within the maximum allowed toler
Fig. 8 a core is shown beneath the plate I09
ance but may or may not be within the allowed
inv full lines as being unseated from the channel 45 minimum tolerance. If the core is within this
desired tolerance a plunger (similar to plunger
floor. As the carrier is rotated, to the left in
this view, the core will be pressed downwardly
I2I) is actuated thereby opening switch I29’
and preventing the rejection station from oper
by the underside of plate I09 untilit is seated
on the channel floor. Then if the core is longer
ating. If the core is less than the minimum
than the distance between the trailing edge H2 50 allowed tolerance it will not actuate the switch
and the channel floor the plate will pivot up
I20’ but allow it to remain closed. As the inter
wardly against the springs III) allowing the core
locking switch 44 is closed when the core is at
to pass beneath it to station I9.
this station, they are now both interlockingly
Inspection station I9 (Figs. 6 and '7) ‘is for
closed thereby operating the rejection station
gauging oversize length cores and comprises a
vertical standard or pedestal II3 having a hori
2Ib‘to open the trap door and the core drops
through chute 9I on the next increment of move
ment to an associated receiver 95b for that sta
tion.
zontal bracket part II4 overhanging the carrier
I2 and the adjacent elements 46. Fixed to the
part H4 ‘is a second pedestal I I? having pivot
When a core has passed all of the inspection
ally mounted thereon at H8 2. block II9 carrying 60 stations successfully, further rotation of the car~
rier brings it into actuating contact with one
a micro-switch I20. Also mounted on the part
H4 and located directly over an element 46 when
end of a lever I34 of the counter 22. The other
the latter is at rest is a plunger I2I having its ' end of the lever I34 actuates the counting mech
lower. end I22 at a height above the channel ?oor
anism, of the counter 22, to register each accepted
equal to the desired maximum allowed length, and
part, The counter 22 may be set to open the
switch 23 at a predetermined number of accept
its headed upper end I23 held in contact with
switch contactor I24 by a light compression spring
ed parts thereby shutting off the machine. Fur
I2'I positioned around the plunger I2! between
ther rotation of the carrier brings the accepted
its headed upper end I23 and part II4. To pre
core into registry with an opening I31, in the
vent the plunger from becoming accidently dis 70 platform 50, through which it drops into an asso
placed from part II4 a pin I28 is provided. A
ciated receptacle I36 for accepted cores.
means for varying the allowed maximum length
Referring to the wiring diagram illustrated in
tolerances is provided by the elongated adjusting
Fig. 14 one side of the motor 24 is connected
lever I29 which is fastened at one of its ends to
to a source of electrical energy I38 through a
the underside of the pivotally mounted block I I9. 75 manual switch I39 by conductor I40, the other
4
side of the motor being connected to
of energy through micro-switches 23
connectors MI and I42. Stations I1
connected to the source of energy I38
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parts may be presented successively to such sta
tion.
the source
and 59 by
and I9 are
respective
3. An inspection machine comprising a mov
able carrier having a plurality of article support
ing seats, inspection means arranged adjacent
ly through their switches 14, I20, and their sole
noids ZI, 2Ia by conductors I42 and I43. Sta
the path of movement of the carrier for acting
upon the articles as successively presented
thereto by the carrier, means operable to inter
energy I38 respectively through their switches
mittently move the carrier for so successively
'14’, I20’, their interlocking switches 43, 44 and
their solenoids 2I', 2Ib by connectors I42 and 10 presenting the supported articles to the inspec
tion means, means for arresting the carrier mov
I43.
ing means, means for selectively feeding the ar
In the foregoing description the inspection of
ticles to their seats on the carrier, said selective
one core has been followed through the various
means being mounted for limited movement by
inspection stations to its ?nal counting and ac
ceptance. However it should be understood that 15 the carrier by and during the failure of the se
lective means feeding its article fully to the car'
at each increment of rotative movement of the
rier, and means operable by the carrier impart
carrier, another part or core is placed therein,
ed movement of the selective means for actu
through the starting station, to follow the previ
ating said arresting means.
ous one through the various inspection stations.
4. A parts inspection machine comprising a
Thus it can be seen ‘that all of the various sta 20
movable carrier having part receiving openings
tions are each performing its gauging function
therein, means for operating the carrier includ
at the same-time but on different pieces.
ing a shutoff device, a movable member over
This series of inspection stations has been
hanging said carrier having an opening adapted
illustrated and described by way of example.
However, it should be understood by varying the 25 to register with an underlying carrier opening
through which a part is fed into such registering
number of stations and the positions of the switch
carrier opening, said member adapted to suspend
actuators, that numerous other gaugings may
an oversize part in a position from which it ex
be made by simple changes in the carrier and
tends into the registering opening of the car
that a variety of parts may be inspected. Thus
it can be understood that the applicants do not 30 rier for coupling said member to the latter for
being driven thereby, and means operable by
wish to be restricted by the above speci?c de
tions I8 and 20 are connected to the source of
and during the carrier imparted movement of
the movable member for actuating the shutoff
device.
5. A parts inspection machine comprising a
scription but only by the scope of the appended
claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A mass production parts inspection machine
comprising a table, a platform ?xed thereon hav
ing a guideway in its upper face, a carrier piv
otally mounted over the platform and having a
plurality of part embracing members ?xed there
in adjacent the periphery thereof, each of said
part embracing members having ?ngers depend
ing into said guideway for steadying its embraced
part, means for pregauging the parts to be in
movable carrier having part receiving portions
for supporting elongated vparts upright on end
it)
to be inspected, means for moving the carrier,
a diameter inspection station comprising gauging
means for actuation by the upright part as it is
presented to the inspection station by the car
rier, a length inspection station comprising gaug
ing means and an actuator for the latter over
hanging the part receiving portions for actua
spected and presenting the same successively into
the part embracing members whereby each part 45 tion by the upright part during movement of
the latter therebeneath for gauging the length
may depend into the guideway, a plurality of
of the part, and means interposed between the
gauging stations comprising oversize and under
two inspection stations operable to axially shift
size diameter gauging stations having gauging
any misplaced part for favorably positioning the
means extending into the said annular groove,
oversize and undersize length gauging stations 50 part for its length inspection.
6. An inspection machine for elongated parts
having gauging means overlying the part embrac
comprising a stationary guideway having op
ing member, means between the diameter and
posed walls between which the parts are disposed
the length gauging stations for favorably posi
on end in an upright position, a movable carrier
tioning said parts for their length inspection,
and means for rotating said carrier whereby 'the 55 having part receiving portions overhanging said
guideway for supporting the parts to be inspect
parts may be presented to each of said stations.
ed whereby the parts will be guided by the guide
2. An inspection machine for elongated parts
way during movement of the carrier, a diam
comprising a table, a ?xed platform having a
eter inspection station comprising gauging means
guideway in its upper face with opposed walls,
a carrier movably mounted over the platform and 60 for actuation by the part as it is presented to
the inspection station by the carrier, said car
having a plurality of part embracing members
rier portions having fore and aft steadying ?n
?xed therein adjacent the periphery thereof,‘
gers depending into the guideway for supporting
each of said part embracing members having
the part on end during gauging operation, and
spaced ?ngers depending between the opposed
means
for moving said carrier.
65
walls of said guideway for steadying and sup
7. A parts inspection machine comprising a
porting its embraced part fore and aft in an up
stationary guideway, a movable carrier having
ended‘ position, means for feeding the parts to
part receiving portions overhanging said guide
be inspected successively into ‘the part embrac
way for supporting the parts to be inspected
ing members whereby each part may depend into 70 whereby the parts will be guided by the guide
the guideway between the ?ngers, a diameter
way during movement of the carrier, a length
gauging station having gauging means extend
inspection station comprising gauging means
ing into the guideway to contact the part ex
overhanging the part receiving portions for actu
posed between the ?ngers for gauging the same,
ation by the part during movement of said car
and means for moving said carrier whereby the 76 rier, means for pregauging the thickness of the
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parts presented to the carrier, said pregauging
means adapted to be coupled to the carrier by
an oversize part for moveemnt thereby, and
5
a platform having a guideway with opposed side
walls and a part supporting bottom wall, a car~
rier overlying the guideway and movable in the
direction of extent thereof, said carrier having a
shut-oil? device, said pregauging means operating
seat through which a part may be guided to rest
to actuate the shut-01f device by and during the
on end in the guideway, said seat having ?ngers
carrier imparted movement.
depending into the guideways fore and aft of the
8. A machine for inspecting parts, comprising
part to support the latter upright therein while
a platform having a guideway with opposed side
the carrier is in motion, a gauging station hav
walls and a part supporting bottom Wall, a car 10 ing a part engaging plunger mounted in a side
rier overlying the guideway and movable in the
wall of the guideway for gauging contact with
direction of extent thereof, said carrier having
the part between the ?ngers, means for oper
a seat through which a part may be guided to
ating the carrier to bring the part to rest opposite
rest on end in the guideway, said seat having
the plunger for such gauging contact therewith,
?ngers depending into the guideway fore and aft
and means adjacent the plunger for engaging
of the part to support the latter upright therein
the part at points above and below the plunger
while the carrier is in motion, and a gauging
to poise the part for such gauging contact when
station having a part engaging plunger mount~
so arrested.
ed in a side wall of the guideway for gauging
contact with the part between the ?ngers.
20
ROY C. TIMM.
9. A machine for inspecting parts, comprising
JOHN ROTHFUSS.
means for operating the carrier including a