Rivet dispensing systems and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Rivet dispenser systems and methods of use thereof are provided. In a non-limiting embodiment, the rivet dispenser system comprises a rivet receiving member defining a channel therein, and a seat member. The channel includes a curved region. The rivet receiving member comprises a first port and a second port. The first port communicates with the channel and is configured to receive rivets. The second port communicates with the channel and is configured to dispense rivets. The channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port in a series arrangement and in a preselected orientation. The seat member communicates with the second port and is configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for dispensing a rivet onto a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus, the method comprising:
 receiving the rivet in a channel of a rivet dispenser system and storing the rivet on a seat member of the rivet dispenser system;   moving the rivet dispenser system along a path to align the seat member with the rivet holder; and   passing the rivet stored on the seat member to the rivet holder.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the rivet dispenser system comprises jaws, and the method further comprises forcibly contacting the rivet stored on the seat member with the jaws of the rivet dispenser system during the moving the rivet dispenser system. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the passing the rivet stored on the seat member to the rivet holder comprises moving the rivet independently of the seat member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the rivet dispenser system comprises a lever, and the moving the rivet independently of the seat member comprises applying a force to a first end of the lever to move a second end of the lever from a first position to a second position, such that the lever moves a rivet stored on the seat member to a secondary position above the seat member and the jaws. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the rivet dispenser system comprises a tensioner, and the method further comprises moving the tensioner in the channel of the rivet dispenser system to a rivet reload position allowing rivets to be introduced to the channel while receiving the rivet in the channel of the rivet dispenser system. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein moving the tensioner comprises contacting the tensioner with a rivet reloading system. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising, after the receiving the rivet in the channel of the rivet dispenser system, moving the tensioner through a portion of the channel to urge the rivet onto the seat member. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the path includes an arc-shaped portion. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the path includes a constant arc-shaped portion. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the path is entirely within a plane. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising inhibiting additional rivets from advancing onto the seat member during the passing the rivet stored on the seat member to the rivet holder. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receiving the rivet in the channel of the rivet dispenser system further comprises moving the rivet along a J-shaped path through the channel. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising moving the rivet dispenser system towards the rivet holder. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising determining a quantity of rivets within the channel and communicating the determined quantity to a rivet dispenser reloading system. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the rivet dispenser system comprises a drive unit comprising a first linkage and a second linkage, each of the first linkage and the second linkage comprises a link member and is pivotally coupled to the rivet receiving member, and wherein the moving the rivet dispenser system along a path to align the seat member with the rivet holder comprises rotating the link member of each the first linkage and the second linkage. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the drive unit comprises:
 a bar linkage comprising the first linkage and the second linkage;   a main carriage connecting the first linkage and the second linkage; and   a secondary carriage connecting the first linkage and the second linkage; and   wherein the moving the rivet dispenser system along a path to align the seat member with the rivet holder further comprises moving at least one of the main carriage and the secondary carriage.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein rotational movement of the link member of each of the first linkage and the second linkage is synchronized. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein each of the first linkage and the second linkage further comprises a pin fixed relative to the respective link member, and the method further comprises rotating the pins to rotate the respective link members. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the pins are rotated simultaneously. 
     
     
         39 . A method for dispensing a rivet onto a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus, the method comprising:
 holding the rivet on a seat member of a rivet dispenser system; and   moving the rivet independent of the seat member from a first position to a secondary position above the seat member.