Applicator and Method for Applying a Lubricant/Sealer

Abstract

A lubricant/sealer dispenser is disclosed for a component press-in system that includes a pressurized lubricant/sealer reservoir filled with lubricant/sealer. A nozzle is supplied with lubricant/sealer from the reservoir and includes an offset tip formed of PTFE that is enclosed in a steel tube. A controller controls a motor that rotates the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth. The motor rotates the nozzle about a fixed axis and follows an inner surface of the opening as the part is moved by a robot relative to the nozzle in a selected pattern. The nozzle applies the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface of the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubricant/sealer dispenser system comprising:
 a pressurized reservoir containing a lubricant/sealer;   a nozzle receiving the lubricant/sealer from the pressurized reservoir;   a motor configured to rotate the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth within the opening; and   a robot moving the part relative to the nozzle with the nozzle following an inner surface of the opening to apply the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The lubricant/sealer dispenser system of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle includes a body portion concentric with an axis of rotation of the nozzle and an offset tip extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The lubricant/sealer dispenser system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a valve receiving the lubricant/sealer from the pressurized reservoir and providing the lubricant/sealer to the nozzle are attached to a bracket, and wherein the motor rotates the valve, the nozzle and the bracket as a unit. 
 
     
     
         4 . The lubricant/sealer dispenser system of  claim 3  wherein the motor is offset from the axis of rotation of the nozzle and is connected to the bracket by a drive apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The lubricant/sealer dispenser system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a robot control system controlling movement of the part relative to the nozzle by the robot, wherein the motor that rotates the nozzle is interfaced with the robot control system that controls a rotational speed of the nozzle and lubricant/sealer flow to the nozzle. 
 
     
     
         6 . The lubricant/sealer dispenser system of  claim 5  wherein the robot moves the part between a pallet, the lubricant/sealer dispensing system, and a pressing tool, wherein the robot control system controls the robot. 
     
     
         7 . A method of applying a lubricant/sealer to a part comprising:
 transferring a part from a pallet to a lubrication station;   rotating a nozzle about a fixed axis;   moving the part in a path with the nozzle following an opening defined by the part;   supplying the lubricant/sealer to the nozzle; and   applying the lubricant/sealer from the nozzle onto an inner surface of the opening.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 retaining the part with a robot during the transferring step and moving the part with the robot in a predefined path relative to the nozzle during the wicking step. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the path is a circular path within the opening in the part, and wherein the opening in the part is circular. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 moving the part to a pressing tool with the lubricant/sealer on the inner surface of the opening; and 
 pressing a component into the opening. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 moving the part from an assembly location to the lubrication station; 
 rotating the nozzle about a fixed axis; 
 moving the part in a second path following a second opening defined by the part; 
 supplying the lubricant/sealer to the nozzle; and 
 applying the lubricant/sealer from the nozzle onto an inner surface of the second opening. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 the part defining a second opening; and 
 applying the lubricant/sealer from the nozzle onto a second inner surface of the second opening defined by the part. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the part is moved by a robot in the transferring step, and wherein the robot moves the part along the path following the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 flexing the nozzle against a biasing force applied by a spring that biases the nozzle into engagement with the inner surface of the opening. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 controlling lubricant/sealer flow to the nozzle with a valve that opens and closes to control lubricant/sealer flow to the nozzle wherein the lubricant/sealer flow is specific to the size of the opening.