A method for welding a retroreflector

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for welding retroreflectors, belonging to the technical field of welding. The method includes: Step 1: Using a robotic arm, the base is clamped and placed on a welding tray inside a welding box, and then the light-emitting sheet is clamped and placed above the corresponding base; Step 2: A sliding platform moves the welding tray along the X-axis to below the welding head, and the welding head moves up and down to weld the base and reflector. Then, the welding tray is driven to move along the Y-axis to weld other bases and reflectors; Step 3: After welding in Step 2 is completed, the sliding platform moves the welding tray along the X-axis, and a discharge mechanism removes the welded product. The welding tray is then driven to move along the Y-axis to unload other products. This invention allows for the welding of multiple products at once, without manual intervention, improving the welding efficiency of reflectors and bases and reducing the possibility of assembly misalignment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of welding technology, and more particularly to a method for welding retroreflectors. Background Technology

[0002] Plastic retroreflectors are mainly used in the rear and side lights of bicycles, motorcycles, and cars, as well as traffic safety warning signs on highways. Existing retroreflectors are all injection molded using high-precision molds. A qualified retroreflector requires that the refracted light rays passing through it meet mandatory standards at observation angles (the angle between the incident and refracted rays) of 0.2 degrees and 1.5 degrees (or 0.333 degrees and 1.5 degrees). Existing retroreflectors achieve the required reflectivity for an observation angle of 0.2 degrees (or 0.333 degrees) by using an array of pyramidal prisms. The incident light is reflected back at a small angle through three reflections and two refractions.

[0003] For related technologies, please refer to Chinese Utility Model Patent No. CN213969581U, which discloses a laser welding fixture for automotive retroreflectors, including a fixture base plate, left and right side plates, a fixture top plate on the top of the left and right side plates, an upper contouring pressure plate at the bottom of the fixture top plate, a lower contouring base assembly below the upper contouring pressure plate, and sliding components between the left and right side plates and the lower contouring base assembly, respectively. The lower contouring base assembly slides back and forth; the lower contouring base assembly has a lifting and lowering movable component, and the fixture base plate has a lifting and lowering drive component that provides power, so that the lower contouring base assembly moves closer to or away from the upper contouring pressure plate by lifting and lowering.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the applicant has discovered the following drawbacks: the method of welding reflectors and bases using molds can only weld one piece at a time before pausing to weld the next one, resulting in low welding efficiency and the potential for misalignment between the base and reflector during the welding process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a method for welding retroreflectors.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0007] A method for welding a retroreflector includes the following steps:

[0008] Step 1: Use a robotic arm to clamp the base and place it on the welding tray inside the welding box, and then clamp the light-emitting sheet and place it on top of the corresponding base;

[0009] Step 2: Use the sliding platform to move the welding tray along the X-axis to below the welding head. Weld the base and reflector by moving the welding head up and down. Then drive the welding tray along the Y-axis to weld the base and reflector in other positions.

[0010] Step 3: After welding is completed in Step 2, the sliding platform moves the welding tray in the X-axis direction, and the unloading mechanism removes the welded product. Then, the welding tray is driven to move along the Y-axis direction to unload products in other positions.

[0011] Furthermore, the sliding platform includes a platform body with two first slide rails horizontally arranged on it. The platform body is provided with a first movable stage that cooperates with the first slide rails. The first movable stage is slidably connected to the first slide rails. A second movable stage is connected to the first movable stage via a support column. The second movable stage is provided with two second slide rails perpendicular to the first slide rails. The second movable stage is provided with a sliding plate that is slidably connected to the second slide rails. The sliding plate is provided with multiple welding trays for placing products. There are two sets of power mechanisms: one set of power mechanisms is used to drive the first movable stage to slide, and the other set of power mechanisms is used to drive the sliding plate to slide.

[0012] Furthermore, connecting members are provided below the first moving platform and below the sliding plate. The power mechanism is connected to the connecting members. The connecting members include a first linkage plate and a second linkage plate. The side of the first linkage plate near the second linkage plate is toothed.

[0013] Furthermore, the second moving platform is provided with a blocking plate located at the end of the second slide to limit the movement distance of the sliding plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the discharge mechanism includes a guide rail disposed at the top of the welding box, a discharge platform slidably connected to the guide rail is provided inside the welding box, a lifting component is provided below the discharge platform, the lifting component is provided with a suction pipe for adsorbing products, and the lifting component is provided with an air pipe connector for suction connected to the suction pipe.

[0015] Furthermore, a flexible suction nozzle is provided below the suction tube.

[0016] In summary, compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the above technical solution are as follows: A robotic arm first picks up the base and places it on a welding tray. Then, the robotic arm picks up the reflector and places it above the base. A sliding platform is driven to move along the X-axis, transporting the reflector and base to below the welding head. The welding head then welds the reflector and base. After the reflector and base on the welding tray below the welding head are welded, the welding tray is driven to move along the Y-axis, moving the remaining portion below the welding head for welding of the reflector and base. This allows for welding of all reflectors and bases on the welding tray. The number of welding trays can be flexibly adjusted. After all welding is completed, the unloading mechanism unloads the materials. Multiple products can be welded at once, requiring no manual intervention throughout the process, thus improving the welding efficiency of reflectors and bases and reducing the possibility of assembly displacement. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the process in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of part A in the diagram;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sliding platform in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged diagram of part B in the diagram;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a partial schematic diagram in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged diagram of part C in the image.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Welding box; 11. Welding head; 12. Unloading plate; 2. Sliding platform; 21. Platform body; 22. First moving stage; 23. First slide rail; 24. Second moving stage; 25. Second slide rail; 26. Sliding plate; 261. Welding tray; 3. Discharge mechanism; 31. Guide rail; 32. Discharge platform; 33. Lifting component; 331. Lifting cylinder; 332. Support plate; 333. Suction pipe; 334. Air pipe connector; 335. Flexible suction nozzle; 4. Power mechanism; 41. Motor; 42. Belt; 43. Pulley; 5. Connecting component; 51. First linkage plate; 52. Second linkage plate; 6. Baffle plate. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The principles and features of the present invention are described below with reference to all the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0027] This invention discloses a method for welding a retroreflector.

[0028] Reference Figures 1-8 A method for welding a retroreflector includes the following steps:

[0029] Step 1: Use a robotic arm to clamp the base and place it on the welding tray inside the welding box, and then clamp the light-emitting sheet and place it on top of the corresponding base;

[0030] Step 2: Use the sliding platform to move the welding tray along the X-axis to below the welding head. Weld the base and reflector by moving the welding head up and down. Then drive the welding tray along the Y-axis to weld the base and reflector in other positions.

[0031] Step 3: After welding is completed in Step 2, the sliding platform moves the welding tray in the X-axis direction, and the unloading mechanism removes the welded product. Then, the welding tray is driven to move along the Y-axis direction to unload products in other positions.

[0032] The sliding platform 2 includes a platform body 21. The platform body 21 has two horizontally arranged first slide rails 23. A first movable platform 22, cooperating with the first slide rails 23, is provided on the platform body 21. The first movable platform 22 is slidably connected to the first slide rails 23. A second movable platform 24 is connected to the first movable platform 22 via support columns. The second movable platform 24 has two second slide rails 25 perpendicular to the first slide rails 23. A sliding plate 26, slidably connected to the second slide rails 25, is provided on the second movable platform 24. The sliding plate 26 has multiple welding trays 261 for placing products. The platform body 21 has a power mechanism 4, consisting of two sets. One set drives the first movable platform 22 to slide, and the other set, located on the second movable platform 24, drives the sliding plate 26 to slide. In this embodiment, the unfolding of the first movable platform 22 is used as an example for explanation; the sliding of the sliding plate 26 is not described repeatedly.

[0033] The first moving stage 22 is driven by the power mechanism 4 to slide on the first slide rail 23. The sliding of the first moving stage 22 can drive the entire product to move on the X-axis. When the first moving stage 22 slides to the designated position, it drives the sliding plate 26 to slide, so that the sliding plate 26 moves on the Y-axis. This solves the problem of poor welding assembly (product misalignment) caused by inaccurate positioning during manual assembly, improves the stability of the welding production system, increases production efficiency, reduces labor costs, reduces raw material loss, and saves manufacturing costs.

[0034] Connecting members 5 are connected to the lower part of the first moving platform 22 and the lower part of the sliding plate 26. The power mechanism 4 is connected to the connecting members 5. The connecting members 5 include a first linkage plate 51 and a second linkage plate 52. The side of the first linkage plate 51 near the second linkage plate 52 is toothed.

[0035] Taking the power mechanism 4 that drives the first moving platform 22 to slide as an example, the power mechanism 4 includes a motor 41, a belt 42, and two pulleys 43. The two pulleys 43 are located at both ends of the platform body 21, and the belt 42 is sleeved on the two pulleys 43. The output shaft of the motor 41 is coaxially connected to one of the pulleys 43. The belt 42 is located between the first linkage plate 51 and the second linkage plate 52. The first linkage plate 51 and the second linkage plate 52 can clamp the belt 42, so that the first moving platform 22 can slide synchronously with the rotation of the belt 42.

[0036] The discharge mechanism 3 includes a guide rail 31 disposed at the top of the welding box 1. A discharge platform 32, slidably connected to the guide rail 31, is disposed inside the welding box 1. In this embodiment, the sliding direction of the discharge platform 32 is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the sliding platform 2, and can be configured to be in the same direction or in other directions. The welding box 1 is provided with a discharge plate 12, which is inclined, with the higher inclined end of the discharge plate 12 located directly below the guide rail 31.

[0037] Below the discharge platform 32 is a lifting component 33, which includes a lifting cylinder 331. The base of the lifting cylinder 331 is fixedly connected to the discharge platform 32. The output shaft of the lifting cylinder 331 is connected to a support plate 332. The support plate 332 is provided with a suction pipe 333 for picking up materials. There are multiple suction pipes 333. The support plate 332 is provided with an air pipe connector 334 for suction, which is connected to the suction pipe 333.

[0038] The welding tray 261 in this invention is arranged in a 2*4 matrix, but other matrix arrangements are also possible. There are multiple suction tubes 333; in this embodiment, four suction tubes 333 are arranged in a 2*2 matrix, with two tubes per group. Each group is used to pick up products from one welding tray 261, allowing for the simultaneous removal of two products. Multiple suction tubes 333 can also be used, and adjustments can be made as needed.

[0039] Each welding tray 261 has a base and a reflector. The welding tray 261 and the reflector are transported to the underside of the welding head 11 by the sliding platform 2. The base and the reflector are welded by the welding head 11. After welding, the sliding platform 2 moves, and the discharge platform 32 slides above the welding tray 261. The lifting cylinder 331 is activated to drive the support plate 332 to move downward, so that the suction pipe 333 is pressed against the product. Air is sucked in through the air pipe connector 334 to adsorb the product. After the suction pipe 333 adsorbs the product, the lifting cylinder 331 is activated to drive the support plate 332 to move upward, and then drive the discharge platform 32 to slide. The sliding of the discharge platform 32 moves the product synchronously to the position of the unloading plate 12. The air pipe connector 334 releases the air to achieve unloading. This operation does not require manual intervention and can weld multiple products at a time, which greatly improves welding efficiency and ensures the safety of the operator.

[0040] A flexible suction nozzle 335 is provided below the suction tube 333, which can provide a buffer when the suction tube 333 adsorbs the product, and prevent damage to the product surface when the support plate 332 directly lowers to drive the suction tube 333 to adsorb the product.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for welding a retroreflector, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Use a robotic arm to clamp the base and place it on the welding tray inside the welding box, and then clamp the light-emitting sheet and place it on top of the corresponding base; Step 2: Use the sliding platform to move the welding tray along the X-axis to below the welding head. Weld the base and reflector by moving the welding head up and down. Then drive the welding tray along the Y-axis to weld the base and reflector in other positions. Step 3: After welding is completed in Step 2, the sliding platform moves the welding tray in the X-axis direction, and the unloading mechanism removes the welded product. Then, the welding tray is driven to move along the Y-axis direction to unload products in other positions. The sliding platform (2) includes a platform body (21), which has two first slide rails (23) arranged horizontally. The platform body (21) is provided with a first moving platform (22) that cooperates with the first slide rails (23). The first moving platform (22) is slidably connected to the first slide rails (23). A second moving platform (24) is connected to the first moving platform (22) by a support column. The second moving platform (24) is provided with two second slide rails (25) that are perpendicular to the first slide rails (23). The second moving platform (24) is provided with a sliding plate (26) that is slidably connected to the second slide rails (25). The sliding plate (26) is provided with multiple welding trays (261) for placing products. The platform body (21) is provided with a power mechanism (4). The power mechanism (4) has two sets. One set of power mechanism (4) is used to drive the first moving platform (22) to slide, and the other set of power mechanism (4) is used to drive the sliding plate (26) to slide.

2. The method for welding a retroreflector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting member (5) is provided below the first moving platform (22) and below the sliding plate (26). The power mechanism (4) is connected to the connecting member (5). The connecting member (5) includes a first linkage plate (51) and a second linkage plate (52). The side of the first linkage plate (51) near the second linkage plate (52) is toothed.

3. A method for welding a retroreflector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second moving platform (24) is provided with a blocking plate (6) located at the end of the second slide (25) for limiting the moving distance of the sliding plate (26).

4. The method for welding a retroreflector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge mechanism (3) includes a guide rail (31) set at the top of the welding box (1), and a discharge platform (32) slidably connected to the guide rail (31) is provided inside the welding box (1). A lifting component (33) is provided below the discharge platform (32). The lifting component (33) is provided with a suction pipe (333) for adsorbing products, and the lifting component (33) is provided with an air pipe connector (334) for suction connected to the suction pipe (333).

5. A method for welding a retroreflector according to claim 4, characterized in that: A flexible suction nozzle (335) is provided below the suction tube (333).

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