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US-12623276-B2 - Fastener storage

US12623276B2US 12623276 B2US12623276 B2US 12623276B2US-12623276-B2

Abstract

Fastener storage is presented. The fastener storage comprises a disc with a plurality of apertures through a first face of the disc and arranged in a plurality of rings concentric with the disc, and a plurality of machine-readable identifiers on the first face of the disc.

Inventors

  • Harinder Singh Oberoi
  • Kevin Marion Barrick
  • Yuanxin Charles Hu
  • Melissa A. Johnson
  • Laura Carolyn Foster
  • Gi Jun Hong
  • Hwangyu SHIN
  • Youngwoo Koh

Assignees

  • THE BOEING COMPANY
  • KOREAN AIR LINES CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20230809

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A fastener storage that comprises: a disc with a plurality of apertures through a first face of the disc and arranged in a plurality of rings concentric with the disc; and a plurality of machine-readable identifiers located on the first face of the disc and configured to indicate a distance that a fastener is elevated above the first face.
  2. 2 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a single respective aperture diameter in each ring of the plurality of rings.
  3. 3 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a plurality of aperture diameters.
  4. 4 . The fastener storage of claim 3 , wherein an innermost ring of the plurality of rings has a smallest aperture diameter of the plurality of aperture diameters.
  5. 5 . The fastener storage of claim 3 , wherein an innermost ring of the plurality of rings has a largest aperture diameter of the plurality of aperture diameters.
  6. 6 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein an aperture spacing in each ring of the plurality of rings is large enough to have a respective machine-readable identifier of the plurality of machine-readable identifiers.
  7. 7 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable identifiers comprises QR codes.
  8. 8 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable identifiers comprises RFID tags.
  9. 9 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of machine-readable identifiers comprises bar codes.
  10. 10 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , further comprising a stand interface on a second face of the disc.
  11. 11 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures is symmetrical.
  12. 12 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein the disc is non-metallic.
  13. 13 . The fastener storage of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures has a respective aperture diameter with a clearance-fit to a predefined fastener.
  14. 14 . The fastener storage of claim 1 , wherein inserts are secured within the plurality of apertures, and wherein the inserts are non-metallic.
  15. 15 . The fastener storage of claim 14 , wherein each of the inserts has a clearance-fit to a predefined fastener.
  16. 16 . A fastener storage that comprises: a disc that comprises concentric circles of apertures through a first face of the disc, wherein each of the apertures comprises a respective aperture diameter with a clearance-fit to a predefined fastener and aperture diameters vary between each of the concentric circles; and machine-readable identifiers on the first face of the disc, each of the machine-readable identifiers configured to identify a distance that a head of a fastener is elevated above the first face.
  17. 17 . The fastener storage of claim 16 , wherein the apertures are asymmetrically placed in the disc.
  18. 18 . The fastener storage of claim 16 , wherein each of the machine-readable identifiers is located closer to an edge of the disc than an aperture it identifies.
  19. 19 . The fastener storage of claim 16 , wherein the machine-readable identifiers are alternated with the apertures.
  20. 20 . A method of storing fasteners, the method comprising: placing, shaft first, the fasteners into a set of apertures in a first face of a disc so that, respectively, a head of each of the fasteners remains elevated a distance above the first face; and assigning fastener size data to a set of machine-readable identifiers allocated to the set of apertures and configured to identify the distance above the first face.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/377,543, filed Sep. 29, 2022, and entitled “Fastener Storage,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Field The present disclosure relates generally to storing fasteners for manufacturing processes. 2. Background In manufacturing processes, considerable time and energy is spent providing fasteners to end effectors. Fasteners are provided to the manufacturing floor in boxes by size. However, fasteners are disorganized within the boxes. Further, assembly of structures utilizes a variety of different sizes of fasteners. Conventionally, fasteners are provided to end effectors one at a time by a series of tubes. Each tube is configured to provide a set diameter of fastener. However, fasteners exiting the tubes can have varied orientations. Additionally, fasteners can become lodged in tubes. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues. For example, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism for conveying fasteners without tubes. SUMMARY An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fastener storage. The fastener storage comprises a disc with a plurality of apertures through a first face of the disc and arranged in a plurality of rings concentric with the disc, and a plurality of machine-readable identifiers on the first face of the disc. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fastener storage. The fastener storage comprises a disc with a plurality of apertures through a first face of the disc and a plurality of machine-readable identifiers on the first face of the disc. The plurality of apertures has a plurality of aperture diameters. Each of the plurality of apertures has a respective aperture diameter with a clearance-fit to a predefined fastener. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of storing a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of fasteners is placed shaft first into a set of apertures in a first face of a disc. Fastener size data is assigned to a set of machine-readable identifiers allocated to the set of apertures. A further embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of storing a fastener. The fastener is placed shaft first into an aperture in a first face of a disc such that a head of the fastener remains elevated above the first face. Fastener size data for the fastener is assigned to a machine-readable identifier allocated to the aperture. Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of forming a fastener storage. A design for a portion of a structure is analyzed for fastener quantity, fastener type, and fastener diameter of a plurality of fasteners in the design. A plurality of apertures is formed into a disc. The plurality of apertures has a plurality of aperture diameters selected to hold the plurality of fasteners based on at least one of the fastener diameter or the fastener type. The features and functions can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an illustration of an aircraft in which an illustrative embodiment may be implemented; FIG. 2 is an illustration of a block diagram of a manufacturing environment in which an illustrative embodiment may be implemented; FIG. 3 is an illustration of an isometric view of a fastener storage in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 4 is an illustration of an isometric view of a fastener storage in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of storing a plurality of fasteners in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of storing a fastener in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of forming a fastener storage in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; FIG. 8 is an illustration of an aircraft manufacturing and service method in a form of a block diagram in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and FIG. 9 is an illustration of an aircraft in a form of a block diagram in which an illustrative embodiment may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The illustrative examples recognize and take into account one or more different conside