A precise assembly device and its assembly method for positioning a U-shaped circlip

Abstract

The present invention discloses a precise assembly device and an assembly method for positioning a U-shaped circlip. The device includes a rotating platform for temporarily storing the U-shaped circlip, and at least one clamping structure driven by a multi-axis moving module and arranged above the rotating platform; the clamping structure includes a jaw assembly arranged in a lifting manner and a linkage side-pushing assembly arranged on one side of the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a set of jaws that are relatively horizontally opened and closed, and a claw part elastically embedded inside the jaws is arranged on the inner side of the jaws. A clamping groove imitating and corresponding to the side part of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the end face of the claw part exposed outside the jaws. The linkage side-pushing assembly includes a slider that is arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of the set of jaws and is movable. The slider abuts against the outer end of the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip, and the clamping space of the set of jaws is arranged to avoid the slider. The present invention realizes the correct positioning and loading direction of the U-shaped circlip, and stably and precisely clamps and sends the U-shaped circlip into the assembly position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of quick connector assembly, and particularly relates to a device for positioning and precisely assembling a U-shaped circlip and an assembling method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Quick connectors are commonly used in automotive cooling pipelines. There are many types of quick connectors, and different quick connectors have different structures. In order to increase the connection convenience with the cooling pipeline, a circlip is arranged to be clamped and assembled inside the quick connector, so that the circlip can stably position the cooling pipeline.

[0003] The existing quick connector with the patent number CN202120608050.3 is adapted to multi-angle installation positions, and an elastic retaining member that vertically embeds into the main body and a limit guiding ring prevents it from detaching. The existing elastic retaining member is embedded in the limit groove of the main body, and the elastic retaining member is assembled by manual installation, resulting in assembly omissions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems, and to provide a device for positioning and precisely assembling a U-shaped circlip and an assembling method thereof, so as to realize the correct positioning and loading direction of the U-shaped circlip, stably and precisely clamp and send the U-shaped circlip to the assembly position, and effectively avoid the problem of the U-shaped circlip popping off during the assembly process. To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A device for positioning and precisely assembling a U-shaped circlip includes a rotating platform for temporarily storing the U-shaped circlip, at least one clamping structure driven by a multi-axis moving module and arranged above the rotating platform, and a carrier for supporting the quick connector and cooperating with the clamping structure for positioning;

[0006] The clamping structure includes a jaw assembly arranged to move up and down and a linkage side-pushing assembly arranged on one side of the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a set of jaws that open and close horizontally relative to each other. An elastic claw part is embedded inside the jaws, and a clamping groove imitating and corresponding to the side part of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the end face of the claw part exposed outside the jaws.

[0007] The linkage side-pushing assembly includes a slider that moves perpendicular to the clamping direction of a set of jaws and abuts against the outer end of the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip. The clamping space of a set of jaws is arranged to avoid the slider.

[0008] Specifically, the rotating platform includes a platform frame, a platform plate that rotates on the platform frame, and temporary storage seats arranged at both ends of the platform plate.

[0009] Specifically, bending portions are respectively arranged in opposite directions at both ends of the U-shaped circlip. A through groove penetrating both sides thereof is arranged at the top of the temporary storage seat. A first limiting area for limiting the U-shaped portion of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on one side of the through groove. A second limiting area for limiting the bending portion at one end of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the other side of the through groove. The second limiting area is arranged flush with the first limiting area. An indented third limiting area for limiting the bending portion at the other end of the U-shaped circlip is arranged inside the second limiting area.

[0010] Specifically, the multi-axis movement module includes a Y-axis movement module, an X-axis movement module installed on the Y-axis movement module, and a Z-axis movement module installed on the X-axis movement module.

[0011] Specifically, the clamping structure includes a moving frame installed on the Z-axis movement module, a lifting cylinder arranged on the moving frame, a clamping cylinder installed at the driving end of the lifting cylinder, a jaw assembly driven by the clamping cylinder, a linkage side-pushing assembly arranged on one side of the jaw assembly, and a pressure plate arranged on the other side of the jaw assembly.

[0012] Specifically, the linkage side-pushing assembly includes a fixed block arranged at the bottom end of the clamping cylinder, a connecting rod arranged on the side of the fixed block and axially connected thereto, a slide rail arranged at the bottom of the fixed block and arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of a group of jaws, a slider axially connected to one end of the connecting rod with a gap and moving along the slide rail, and a pushing cylinder axially connected to the other end of the connecting rod with a gap.

[0013] Specifically, a positioning seat for positioning a quick connector is arranged at the top of the carrier. The interface of the quick connector faces upward. A limiting groove for installing a U-shaped circlip is arranged on the outer wall of the quick connector.

[0014] An assembly method for accurately assembling a U-shaped circlip includes the following steps:

[0015] Provide a quick connector, and a limiting groove penetrating both sides is arranged on the outside of the quick connector;

[0016] Provide a U-shaped circlip, and the U-shaped circlip is positioned in the temporary storage seat in the correct posture for being inserted into the quick connector; take out the U-shaped circlip in the temporary storage seat through a group of jaws, and the group of jaws elastically clamp both sides of the U-shaped circlip to keep the clamping opening of the U-shaped circlip horizontally facing the quick connector, so that the U-shaped circlip and the limiting groove are kept in the same straight line direction;

[0017] Push the U-shaped portion of the U-shaped circlip through the slider to gradually approach the quick connector. The moving direction of the slider is arranged perpendicular to the clamping force direction of the group of jaws. When the clamping opening of the U-shaped circlip enters the position of the quick connector, the U-shaped circlip gradually disengages from the jaws until the U-shaped circlip is completely embedded in the limiting groove in place.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of a precise assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip and its assembly method of the present invention are mainly reflected in:

[0019] By setting a clamping structure to pick up materials from the rotating platform and send them into the carrier, the installation direction of the U-shaped circlip is positioned on the rotating platform, reducing the extra step of adjusting the direction; the jaw assembly effectively clamps both sides of the U-shaped circlip, keeping it in a balanced state and preventing tilting during movement; a linkage side-pushing assembly is set, which is arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of the jaw assembly, does not affect the clamping action of the jaw assembly, effectively avoids and reduces the contact area with the U-shaped circlip, the pushing action of the U-shaped circlip is stable, and there will be no excessive interference when the U-shaped circlip is inserted into the quick connector. The jaw assembly and the linkage side-pushing assembly cooperate with the pressure plate during operation to keep the positioning of the quick connector stable, improve the accuracy when the U-shaped circlip is inserted, and the overall device is structured for the U-shaped circlip, effectively clamps and positions to avoid ejection, and at the same time can maintain balanced, stable and precise assembly to the quick connector, greatly improving the assembly efficiency. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the rotating platform in this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the temporary storage seat in this embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping structure in this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a partial side view schematic diagram of the clamping structure in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the linkage side-pushing assembly in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping assembly in this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the U-shaped circlip in this embodiment;

[0028] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of the carrier in this embodiment;

[0029] The numbers in the figure represent:

[0030] 1 U-shaped circlip, 11 quick connector, 12 bending part, 13 limiting groove, 2 rotating platform, 21 platform frame, 22 platform plate, 23 temporary storage seat, 24 through groove, 25 first limiting area, 26 second limiting area, 27 third limiting area, 3 clamping structure, 31 moving frame, 32 lifting cylinder, 33 clamping cylinder, 4 carrier, 41 positioning seat, 5 Y-axis moving module, 51 X-axis moving module, 52 Z-axis moving module, 6 jaw assembly, 61 jaw, 62 claw part, 63 clamping groove, 7 linkage side-pushing component, 71 fixed block, 72 connecting rod, 73 slide rail, 74 slider, 75 pushing cylinder, 8 pressure plate. Detailed implementation manner

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0032] Embodiment:

[0033] Refer to Figures 1-9 As shown, this embodiment is a precise assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip, including a rotating platform 2 for temporarily storing the U-shaped circlip 1, at least one clamping structure 3 driven by a multi-axis moving module and arranged above the rotating platform 2, and a carrier 4 for supporting the quick connector 11 and cooperating with the clamping structure 3 for positioning.

[0034] The rotating platform 2 includes a platform frame 21, a platform plate 22 rotatably arranged on the platform frame 21, and temporary storage seats 23 arranged at both ends of the platform plate 22. A rotating cylinder for driving the platform plate 22 is installed on the top of the platform frame 21, and the driving end of the rotating cylinder is connected to the middle of the platform plate 22. The platform plate 22 is driven to rotate, so that the temporary storage seat 23 rotates towards the direction close to the carrier 4. The temporary storage seat 23 is arranged corresponding to the clamping structure 3, and the U-shaped circlip is positioned by profiling on the temporary storage seat 23.

[0035] In this embodiment, bending parts 12 are respectively arranged at both ends of the U-shaped circlip 1 in opposite directions. A through groove 24 penetrating both sides is arranged at the top of the temporary storage seat 23. A first limiting area 25 for limiting the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip 1 is arranged on one side of the through groove 24, and a second limiting area 26 for limiting one bending part 12 of the U-shaped circlip 1 is arranged on the other side of the through groove 24. The second limiting area 26 is arranged flush with the first limiting area 25. An indented third limiting area 27 for limiting the other bending part 12 of the U-shaped circlip 1 is arranged inside the second limiting area 26. The U-shaped circlip 1 is stably positioned in the temporary storage seat 23 and limited in the set loading direction, ensuring that the clamping structure 3 picks up the U-shaped circlip 1 in the correct direction and avoiding secondary positioning adjustment. The through groove 24 serves to avoid the clamping structure 3, enabling the clamping structure 3 to pick up materials smoothly.

[0036] The multi-axis moving module includes a Y-axis moving module 5, an X-axis moving module 51 installed on the Y-axis moving module 5, and a Z-axis moving module 52 installed on the X-axis moving module 51; the clamping structure 3 realizes multi-directional movement adjustment.

[0037] The clamping structure 3 includes a moving frame 31 installed on the Z-axis moving module 52, a lifting cylinder 32 arranged on the moving frame 31, a clamping cylinder 33 installed at the driving end of the lifting cylinder 32, a jaw assembly 6 driven by the clamping cylinder 33, a linkage side-pushing assembly 7 arranged on one side of the jaw assembly 6, and a pressure plate 8 arranged on the other side of the jaw assembly 6.

[0038] The jaw assembly 6 includes a set of jaws 61 that open and close horizontally relative to each other. An elastic claw part 62 is embedded inside the inner side of the jaw 61. The inner end of the claw part 62 is connected to the jaw 61 by a spring. A card slot 63 that imitates the side part of the U-shaped retaining ring 1 is arranged on the end face of the claw part 62 that exposes the jaw 61. The two sides of the U-shaped retaining ring 1 are stably positioned inside a set of jaws 61, keeping the clamping mouth of the U-shaped retaining ring 1 in a horizontal state for moving and handling. The two sides of the U-shaped retaining ring 1 are balancedly positioned inside a set of jaws 61 to avoid the problem of skewed positioning. Since the main body diameter of the U-shaped retaining ring 1 is small, the traditional clamping method is prone to the problem of popping off. The use of the claw part 62 can effectively position the U-shaped retaining ring 1 and reduce the risk of popping off.

[0039] The linkage side-pushing assembly 7 includes a fixed block 71 arranged at the bottom end of the clamping cylinder 33, a connecting rod 72 arranged on the side of the fixed block 71 and pivotally connected to it, a slide rail 73 arranged at the bottom of the fixed block 71 and arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of a set of jaws 61, a slider 74 that is pivotally connected to one end of the connecting rod 72 with a clearance and moves along the slide rail 73, and a pushing cylinder 75 that is pivotally connected to the other end of the connecting rod 72 with a clearance. The pushing cylinder 75 pushes the connecting rod 72 to rotate around the side of the fixed block 71, causing the connecting rod 72 to drive the slider 74 to move horizontally along the slide rail 73. The slider 74 is arranged to move towards the carrier 4. The side of the slider 74 corresponds to the surface of the carrier 4. The side of the slider 74 abuts against the outer end of the U-shaped part of the U-shaped retaining ring 1. The jaw assembly 6 clamps and positions the U-shaped retaining ring 1. The linkage side-pushing assembly 7 horizontally pushes the U-shaped retaining ring 1 inside the jaw assembly 6 until it is separated. Correspondingly, the width of the slider 74 is smaller than the clamping distance of a set of jaws 61, and the slider 74 can smoothly pass through the clamping space of a set of jaws 61, so that the slider 74 avoids interference and collision when pushing the U-shaped retaining ring 1.

[0040] At the top of the vehicle 4, there is a positioning seat 41 for positioning the quick connector 11, and the number of positioning seats 41 is correspondingly set according to the number of clamping structures 3. The interface of the quick connector 11 is arranged upward, and a limiting groove 13 for installing the U-shaped snap ring 1 is provided on the outer wall of the quick connector 11. When the quick connector 11 and the U-shaped snap ring 1 are assembled, the U-shaped snap ring 1 and the limiting groove 13 are kept in the same straight-line direction. The clamping opening of the U-shaped snap ring 1 faces the limiting groove 13 and gradually surrounds the quick connector 11 until it is pushed in place and positioned in the limiting groove 13. The linkage side-pushing assembly 7 uses the slider 73 as the power component for abutting against the U-shaped part of the U-shaped snap ring 1, avoiding covering too much area of the U-shaped snap ring 1. When the U-shaped snap ring 1 is being fed into the limiting groove 13, interference occurs and the pushing cannot be in place. The side of the slider 74 is a plane, and when the slider 74 abuts against the U-shaped part of the U-shaped snap ring 1, the contact area is small, reducing the risk of interference during assembly. The pressure plate 8 moves following the lifting cylinder 32, and the pressure plate 8 is pressed against the interface surface of the quick connector 11.

[0041] An assembly method for accurately assembling a U-shaped snap ring includes the following steps:

[0042] Provide a quick connector 11, with the interface of the quick connector 11 arranged upward, and a limiting groove 13 penetrating through both sides of the quick connector 11 is provided on the outside of the quick connector 11;

[0043] Provide a U-shaped snap ring 1, with bending parts 12 arranged in opposite directions at both ends of the U-shaped snap ring 1;

[0044] The U-shaped snap ring 1 is positioned in the temporary storage seat 23 in the correct posture for being inserted into the quick connector 11;

[0045] A set of clamping jaws 61 takes out the U-shaped snap ring 1 in the temporary storage seat 23, and the set of clamping jaws 61 elastically clamps both sides of the U-shaped snap ring 1 to keep the clamping opening of the U-shaped snap ring 1 horizontally facing the quick connector 1, so that the U-shaped snap ring 1 and the limiting groove 13 are kept in the same straight-line direction;

[0046] Use the slider 74 to push the U-shaped part of the U-shaped snap ring 1 sideways, making it gradually approach the quick chuck 11. The moving direction of the slider 74 is set perpendicular to the clamping force direction of the set of clamping jaws 61. When the clamping opening of the U-shaped snap ring 1 enters the position of the quick connector 11, the U-shaped snap ring 1 gradually disengages from the clamping jaws 61 until the U-shaped snap ring 1 is completely embedded in the limiting groove 13 in place.

[0047] When applying this embodiment, the U-shaped circlip 1 is loaded on the rotating platform 2. One end of the rotating platform 2 is the loading station, and the other end is the picking station. The U-shaped circlip 1 makes an initial direction positioning in the temporary storage seat 23. The clamping structure 3 takes out the U-shaped circlip 1 from the temporary storage seat 23. A set of jaws 61 clamp and position both sides of the U-shaped circlip 1. The linkage side-pushing component 7 horizontally pushes the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip 1. The pressure plate 8 presses and positions the interface surface of the quick connector 11. The U-shaped circlip 1 is horizontally moved and positioned into the limiting groove 13 of the quick connector 11. When the U-shaped circlip 1 is pushed in place, both sides of the U-shaped circlip 1 are positioned in the limiting groove 13, and its bent part 12 is limited outside the quick connector 11, and the assembly is completed.

[0048] In this embodiment, by setting the clamping structure 3 to pick up materials from the rotating platform 2 and send them into the carrier 4, the U-shaped circlip 1 positions and installs the direction on the rotating platform 2, reducing the extra step of adjusting the direction; the jaw assembly 6 effectively clamps both sides of the U-shaped circlip 1, so that it can move in a balanced state without tilting problems; the linkage side-pushing component 7 is arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of the jaw assembly 6, which does not affect the gripping action of the jaw assembly 6, effectively avoids and reduces the contact area with the U-shaped circlip 1, the pushing action of the U-shaped circlip 1 is stable, and there will be no excessive interference when the U-shaped circlip 1 is inserted into the quick connector 11. The jaw assembly 6 and the linkage side-pushing component 7 cooperate with the pressure plate 8 during operation to keep the positioning of the quick connector 11 stable, improve the accuracy when the U-shaped circlip 1 is inserted, and the overall device is aimed at the structure of the U-shaped circlip 1, effectively clamps and positions to avoid ejection, and at the same time can be assembled to the quick connector 11 in a balanced, stable and precise manner, greatly improving the assembly efficiency.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection", "fixation", etc. should all be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the descriptions of terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "specific embodiments", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0051] Although the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are as above, the content described is only the embodiments adopted for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention may make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed in the present invention. However, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A precise assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip, characterized in that: It includes a rotating platform for temporarily storing U-shaped circlips, at least one clamping structure driven by a multi-axis moving module and arranged above the rotating platform, and a carrier for supporting a quick connector and positioned in cooperation with the clamping structure; The clamping structure includes a jaw assembly arranged in a lifting manner and a linkage side-pushing assembly arranged on one side of the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a set of jaws arranged to open and close horizontally relative to each other. An elastic claw part is arranged inside the jaw, and a clamping groove for imitating and corresponding to the side part of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the end face of the claw part exposed outside the jaw. The linkage side-pushing assembly includes a slider arranged to move perpendicular to the clamping direction of a set of jaws. The slider abuts against the outer end of the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip, and the clamping space of a set of jaws is arranged to avoid the slider. The rotating platform includes a platform frame, a platform plate rotatably arranged on the platform frame, and temporary storage seats arranged at both ends of the platform plate. Bending parts are respectively arranged at both ends of the U-shaped circlip in opposite directions. A through groove penetrating both sides is arranged at the top of the temporary storage seat. A first limiting area for limiting the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on one side of the through groove. A second limiting area for limiting one bending part of the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the other side of the through groove. The second limiting area is arranged flush with the first limiting area. A third limiting area for limiting the other bending part of the U-shaped circlip and sunken inside is arranged inside the second limiting area.

2. The precision assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip according to claim 1, wherein: The multi-axis moving module includes a Y-axis moving module, an X-axis moving module installed on the Y-axis moving module, and a Z-axis moving module installed on the X-axis moving module.

3. The precision assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping structure includes a moving frame installed on the Z-axis moving module, a lifting cylinder arranged on the moving frame, a clamping cylinder installed at the driving end of the lifting cylinder, a jaw assembly driven by the clamping cylinder, a linkage side-pushing assembly arranged on one side of the jaw assembly, and a pressure plate arranged on the other side of the jaw assembly.

4. The precision assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The linkage side-pushing assembly includes a fixed block arranged at the bottom end of the clamping cylinder, a connecting rod arranged on the side of the fixed block and axially connected to it, a slide rail arranged at the bottom of the fixed block and arranged perpendicular to the clamping direction of a set of jaws, a slider arranged to movably cooperate with one end of the connecting rod through a gap and move along the slide rail, and a pushing cylinder arranged to movably cooperate with the other end of the connecting rod through a gap.

5. The precise assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning seat for positioning the quick connector is arranged at the top of the carrier. The interface of the quick connector is arranged upwards, and a limiting groove for installing the U-shaped circlip is arranged on the outer wall of the quick connector.

6. An assembly method for a precise assembly device for positioning a U-shaped circlip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Provide a quick connector, and a limiting groove penetrating both sides is arranged outside the quick connector; Provide a U-shaped circlip, and the U-shaped circlip is positioned in the temporary storage seat in the correct posture for being installed into the quick connector; Take out the U-shaped circlip in the temporary storage seat through a set of jaws. The set of jaws elastically clamp both sides of the U-shaped circlip to keep the clamping opening of the U-shaped circlip horizontally facing the quick connector, so that the U-shaped circlip and the limiting groove are kept in the same straight line direction; Push the U-shaped part of the U-shaped circlip laterally by the slider, making it gradually approach the quick chuck. The moving direction of the slider is set perpendicular to the clamping force direction of a set of jaws. When the clip mouth of the U-shaped circlip enters the position of the quick connector, the U-shaped circlip gradually disengages from the jaws until the U-shaped circlip is completely embedded in the limit groove in place.

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