US 11,833,629 B2
Cassette fed automated clip application system
Nuno José Lopes Carrolo, Lisbon (PT); Marco Ruben Medeiros Ferreira da Silva, Odivelas (PT); Pedro Matias, Lisbon (PT); and Emanuel Martins Carvalho, Feijo (PT)
Assigned to Aptiv Technologies AG, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed by Aptiv Technologies Limited, St. Michael (BB)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/103,686.
Claims priority of application No. 2201211 (GB), filed on Jan. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0241729 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. B23P 19/00 (2006.01); B23P 19/04 (2006.01); B62D 65/02 (2006.01)
CPC B23P 19/002 (2013.01) [B23P 19/001 (2013.01); B23P 19/004 (2013.01); B23P 19/007 (2013.01); B23P 19/04 (2013.01); B23P 2700/50 (2013.01); B62D 65/02 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated clip application system for fitting clips in an automotive assembly line, the system comprising:
a cassette receiving station for receiving at least one cassette, which, in use, is preloaded with a plurality of clips, each of the plurality of clips being arranged in the same orientation;
a dispensing opening for dispensing the clips from the cassette;
a grabbing member which is moveable between a first position in which it engages with the dispensing opening so as to grab a clip positioned at the dispensing opening, and a second position in which it is withdrawn from an end of the dispensing opening so as to position the grabbed clip spaced apart from the dispensing opening; and
a robotic member programmed to pick up the clip from the grabbing member when it is in the second position and fasten the clip in position in an assembly.