An automated assembly line for domain controllers and an assembly method thereof.

Abstract

This invention provides an automated assembly line and method for domain controllers, including a rack with a transmission device for conveying a middle frame, a fan, a circuit board, a bottom cover, a left bracket, and a right bracket. Along the transmission path of the transmission device are sequentially arranged a fan assembly device, a middle frame flipping device, a circuit board assembly device, a bottom cover assembly device, and a bracket assembly device. The fan assembly device locks the fan to the middle frame. The middle frame flipping device picks up the middle frame located on the transmission device, flips it, and then places it back on the transmission device. The circuit board assembly device assembles the circuit board located on the transmission device onto the flipped middle frame. The bottom cover assembly device assembles the bottom cover onto the middle frame. The bracket assembly device assembles the left and right brackets onto the sides of the bottom cover, respectively. This invention automates the assembly of multiple components of a domain controller, improving production efficiency and assembly quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of automated assembly devices, and more specifically to an automated assembly line for a domain controller and an assembly method thereon. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of autonomous driving, various sensors have been added to the front of vehicles to provide scene and vehicle information, including visual cameras, ultrasonic radar, high-precision positioning, odometers, lidar, millimeter-wave radar, inertial devices, and high-precision maps, to ensure stable operation of autonomous driving modes. The rapidly increasing number of sensors and the complexity of wiring harnesses have posed significant challenges to the traditional automotive ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and electronic and electrical architecture. The gradual replacement of distributed architectures with centralized architectures has become the mainstream direction for the future development of automotive architectures, and replacing traditional ECUs with highly integrated, high-computing-power ADAS domain controllers is currently a better solution.

[0003] A domain controller mainly consists of a mid-frame, fan, adapter board, motherboard, bottom cover, left bracket, and right bracket. Currently, most domain controllers are assembled manually. However, due to the large number of components in a domain controller, this process is complex, cumbersome, inefficient, and costly, which is detrimental to the technological development of domain controllers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides an automated assembly line and assembly method for domain controllers, which automatically assembles multiple parts of a domain controller, thereby improving production efficiency and assembly results.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] An automated assembly line for a domain controller includes a rack with a transmission device for conveying a middle frame, a fan, a circuit board, a bottom cover, a left bracket, and a right bracket. Along the transmission path of the transmission device are sequentially arranged a fan assembly device, a middle frame flipping device, a circuit board assembly device, a bottom cover assembly device, and a bracket assembly device. The fan assembly device locks the fan to the middle frame. The middle frame flipping device picks up the middle frame located on the transmission device, flips it, and then places it back onto the transmission device. The circuit board assembly device assembles the circuit board located on the transmission device onto the flipped middle frame. The bottom cover assembly device assembles the bottom cover onto the middle frame to form a domain controller semi-finished product. The bracket assembly device assembles the left and right brackets onto the two sides of the domain controller semi-finished product, respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the circuit board assembly device includes an adapter board assembly device and a motherboard assembly device, which are arranged sequentially along the transmission path of the transmission device; the adapter board assembly device is used to assemble the adapter board and the adapter board bracket onto the middle frame in sequence, and the motherboard assembly device is used to assemble the motherboard onto the middle frame.

[0008] Furthermore, a first thermal paste application device is provided between the adapter board assembly device and the motherboard assembly device, which applies thermal paste to the middle frame; a second thermal paste application device is provided between the motherboard assembly device and the bottom cover assembly device, which applies thermal paste to the motherboard.

[0009] Furthermore, the adapter plate assembly device includes a first pre-installation mechanism and a first locking mechanism. The first pre-installation mechanism sequentially grabs the adapter plate and the adapter plate bracket and pre-installs them on the flipped middle frame. The first locking mechanism sequentially locks the adapter plate and the adapter plate bracket onto the middle frame.

[0010] Furthermore, the motherboard assembly device includes a second pre-assembly mechanism, which picks up the motherboard located on the transmission mechanism and pre-assembles it onto the middle frame equipped with the adapter board.

[0011] Furthermore, the transmission device consists of parallel conveyor lines arranged vertically. The conveyor lines are equipped with fixtures to hold the middle frame, fan, adapter plate, adapter plate bracket, main board, bottom cover, left bracket, and right bracket. Lifting platforms are provided at the beginning and end of the two conveyor lines to drive the fixtures to flow back between the two conveyor lines.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixture is provided with multiple snap-fit ​​seats for the middle frame, fan, adapter plate, adapter plate bracket, main board, bottom cover, left bracket and right bracket to snap and limit their respective positions.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom cover assembly device includes a third pre-assembly mechanism and a second locking mechanism. The third pre-assembly mechanism picks up the bottom cover and assembles it onto the domain controller semi-finished product, and the second locking mechanism locks the bottom cover onto the domain controller semi-finished product.

[0014] Furthermore, the bracket assembly device includes a gripping and transferring mechanism, a positioning and pressing mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The gripping and transferring mechanism grips the domain controller semi-finished product, the left bracket, and the right bracket located on the transmission device and transfers them to the positioning and pressing mechanism. The positioning and pressing mechanism includes a rotary drive and a receiving seat connected to the output end of the rotary drive. The receiving seat is for placing the domain controller semi-finished product. An upper pressing component, a left pressing component, and a right pressing component are respectively connected to the top and sides of the receiving seat to press against the top surface of the domain controller semi-finished product when it is placed on the receiving seat, and to press the left bracket and the right bracket against the sides of the domain controller semi-finished product. The locking mechanism is located above the positioning and pressing mechanism to lock and fix the left bracket to one side of the domain controller semi-finished product and to lock and fix the right bracket to the other side of the domain controller semi-finished product.

[0015] Furthermore, the flipping middle frame device includes an X-axis transfer drive assembly, a Y-axis transfer drive assembly, a Z-axis lifting drive assembly, and a clamping and flipping fixture; the clamping and flipping fixture clamps both sides of the middle frame and drives the middle frame to flip 180 degrees; the output end of the Y-axis transfer drive assembly is connected to the X-axis transfer drive assembly, the drive end of the X-axis transfer drive assembly is connected to the Z-axis lifting drive assembly, and the output end of the Z-axis lifting drive assembly is connected to the clamping and flipping fixture, so as to drive the clamping and flipping fixture to move along the X, Y, and Z axes; the clamping... The flipping fixture includes a mounting base and a first clamping part and a second clamping part fixedly disposed on both sides of the mounting base. The first clamping part and the second clamping part are disposed opposite to each other to clamp the two sides of the middle frame. The first clamping part includes a rotary drive component, a first transmission component, and a first clamping arm. The rotary drive component is connected to the first clamping arm through the first transmission component. The second clamping part includes a second transmission component and a second clamping arm. The second transmission component is connected to the first transmission component through a rotating shaft and transmits power to the second clamping arm so that the second clamping arm and the first clamping arm rotate synchronously.

[0016] The present invention also provides a domain controller assembly method, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0017] A1 provides the aforementioned domain controller automated assembly line to lock and fix the fan to the middle frame;

[0018] A2, flip the middle frame with the fan installed so that the side of the middle frame that is fixed to the fan is facing down;

[0019] A3. Secure the circuit board to the middle frame.

[0020] A4. Lock the bottom cover onto the middle frame so that the bottom cover covers the circuit board.

[0021] A5. Lock and fix the left and right brackets to both sides of the bottom cover respectively.

[0022] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0023] This invention assembles a fan and a circuit board onto the middle frame in sequence along the transmission path of the transmission device. Then, the bottom cover is placed on the middle frame, and finally the left and right brackets are assembled to form a complete domain controller. This invention automatically assembles the components of the domain controller, achieving a high degree of automation and improving assembly efficiency and accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the domain controller automated assembly line of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of A;

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the fixture of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the fixture of the present invention from another angle;

[0028] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the fan assembly device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the flipping frame device of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the clamping and flipping fixture of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first pre-assembly mechanism and part of the transmission device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first pre-assembly mechanism of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first heat-dissipating paste application device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the bracket assembly device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 12 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the positioning and clamping mechanism of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 The diagram shows the structure of a domain controller. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To further illustrate the various embodiments, the present invention provides accompanying drawings. These drawings are part of the disclosure of the present invention, primarily used to illustrate the embodiments and to explain the operating principles of the embodiments in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification. With reference to these drawings, those skilled in the art should be able to understand other possible implementations and the advantages of the present invention. Components in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0038] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an automated assembly line for domain controllers is provided, used to automatically assemble the various components of a domain controller. A common structure of a domain controller includes a middle frame, a bottom cover over the middle frame, and circuit boards disposed inside the middle frame and the bottom cover; the bottom cover also has left and right supports on both sides. The circuit boards can be of different types and quantities depending on requirements. See also... Figure 13 As shown, in this embodiment, the circuit board includes an adapter board and a main board, wherein the adapter board further includes an adapter board bracket. Specifically, the domain controller 10 includes a middle frame 101, a fan 102, an adapter board 103, an adapter board bracket 1030, a main board 104, a bottom cover 105, a left bracket 106, and a right bracket 107. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 12As shown, the automated assembly line for this domain controller includes a rack 1, on which a transmission device 2 is mounted. Along the transmission path of the transmission device 2, a fan assembly device 3, a flip-up frame device 4, a circuit board assembly device, a bottom cover assembly device 7, and a bracket assembly device 8 are sequentially arranged. The circuit board assembly device, depending on the circuit board components of the domain controller, specifically includes an adapter board assembly device 5 and a motherboard assembly device 6. The fan assembly device 3 locks the fan 102 onto the frame 101. The flip-up frame device 4 picks up the frame 101 located on the transmission device 2, flips it, and then places it back onto the transmission device 2. The adapter board assembly device 5... The device 5 assembles the adapter plate 103 and adapter plate bracket 1030 located on the transmission device 2 onto the flipped middle frame 101; the motherboard assembly device 6 assembles the motherboard 104 located on the transmission device 2 onto the middle frame 101; and after the motherboard 104 and the middle frame 101 are assembled, the connection between the main frame 104 and components such as the fan is completed manually; the bottom cover assembly device 7 assembles the bottom cover 105 onto the middle frame equipped with the adapter plate 103, adapter plate bracket 1030 and motherboard 104 to form a domain controller semi-finished product; the bracket assembly device 8 assembles the left bracket 106 and the right bracket 107 onto the two sides of the domain controller semi-finished product respectively. The adapter board assembly device 5 and the motherboard assembly device 6 are further provided with a first thermal paste application device 50, which applies thermal paste to the middle frame 101; the motherboard assembly device 6 and the bottom cover assembly device 7 are further provided with a second thermal paste application device 60, which applies thermal paste to the motherboard 104. Thus, this embodiment uses a jig containing domain controller components to sequentially pass through each assembly station via a conveyor line, thereby automatically assembling the various components of the domain controller. This achieves a high degree of automation and significantly improves production efficiency and assembly accuracy.

[0040] Among them, see Figures 2 to 4As shown, the transmission device 2 is used to transport the middle frame 101, fan 102, adapter plate 103, adapter plate bracket 1030, main board 104, bottom cover 105, left bracket 106, and right bracket 107. Further, the transmission device 2 is a vertically parallel conveyor line 21, with a fixture 22 on the conveyor line 21 to hold the middle frame 101, fan 102, adapter plate 103, adapter plate bracket 1030, main board 104, bottom cover 105, left bracket 106, and right bracket 107. The conveyor line 21 has fixture lifting platforms at both ends to facilitate the vertical retraction of the fixture. Specifically, the conveyor line 21 includes a conveyor belt and a drive motor to drive the conveyor belt; this conveyor line structure is common in the field and will not be described in detail here. Multiple position sensors are also installed on the conveyor line 21 to detect the transport position of the fixture 22. Of course, in other embodiments, the transmission device 2 can also be a feeding turntable or other transmission mechanism used to transport domain controller parts to various assembly mechanisms, and this is not limited herein. This embodiment uses a conveyor line 21 to facilitate the placement of each domain controller component and to facilitate the transfer to subsequent assembly mechanisms. The fixture 22 is provided with multiple locking seats 221 for locking and limiting the middle frame 101, fan 102, adapter plate 103, adapter plate bracket 1030, main board 104, bottom cover 105, left bracket 106, and right bracket 107 respectively. Each locking seat 221 includes a base plate and locking blocks located around the base plate. The structure of the locking seat 221 varies slightly depending on the specific structure of each domain controller component to ensure stable positioning of the domain controller component. To facilitate the placement of each domain controller component, each locking seat 221 is marked on one side, such as "Fan Placement Area," "Middle Frame Placement Area," and "Adapter Plate Placement Area." Furthermore, each fixture 22 is connected to a lifting cylinder 222 to drive the fixture 22 to rise and fall in the vertical direction. When the transmission device 2 transmits the fixture 22 to each assembly station, the lifting cylinder 222 drives the fixture 22 to rise and is positioned by the positioning pin to ensure good positioning of the fixture 22, so that each assembly mechanism can perform assembly operations on the domain controller components located on the fixture 22.

[0041] See Figure 1As shown, the first end of the transmission device 2 is equipped with a loading station to load the domain controller components, namely the middle frame 101, fan 102, adapter board 103, adapter board bracket 1030, main board 104, bottom cover 105, left bracket 106, and right bracket 107, onto the fixture 22 of the transmission device 2. In this embodiment, manual loading is used. Of course, in other embodiments, robotic arms can also be used for loading, and this is not a limitation. Specifically, the adapter board 103, adapter board bracket 1030, main board 104, bottom cover 105, left bracket 106, and right bracket 107 are manually placed into the corresponding mounting slots 221 of the fixture 22; and the middle frame 101 and fan 102 are pre-assembled and placed into the mounting slots 221 corresponding to the fan placement area.

[0042] The next station after the loading station is equipped with a fan assembly device 3. The fan assembly device 3 secures the fan 102 to the middle frame 101; specifically, see [reference needed]. Figure 5 As shown, the fan assembly device 3 includes a four-axis robot 31, and a screw assembly assembly 32 and a CCD assembly 33 installed at the output end of the four-axis robot 31. The CCD assembly 33 takes pictures and positions the pre-assembled fan 102 and middle frame 101 located on the transmission device 2. The screw assembly assembly 32 includes a lifting drive unit (specifically a drive cylinder) and a screw assembly machine. The lifting drive unit drives the screw assembly machine to descend, thereby locking the screws of the fan 102 and the middle frame 101. After the middle frame 101 and fan 102 are pre-assembled manually, they are transferred to the fan assembly device 3 via the transmission device 2. The four-axis robot 31 moves to the middle frame 101 and fan 102. After the CCD assembly takes pictures and positions them, the screw assembly assembly 32 locks the connecting screws of the fan 102 and the middle frame 101.

[0043] The flipping frame device 4 grasps the frame 101 located on the conveying device 2, flips it, and then places it back on the conveying device 2. The X, Y, and Z axes are defined as the three axes of a spatial rectangular coordinate system. The conveying direction of the conveying device 2 is the X-axis, the horizontal movement direction perpendicular to the X-axis is the Y-axis, and the vertical movement direction is the Z-axis. For details, please refer to... Figures 6 to 7As shown, the flipping frame device 4 includes an X-axis transfer drive assembly 41, a Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42, a Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43, a clamping and flipping fixture 44, and a rotation drive assembly 45. The output end of the Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42 is connected to the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41, the drive end of the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41 is connected to the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43, the output end of the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43 is connected to the rotation drive assembly 45, and the output end of the rotation drive assembly 45 is connected to the clamping and flipping fixture 44, thereby driving the clamping and flipping fixture 44 to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. Specifically, the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41 and the Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42 are motor-driven lead screw and slide rail assemblies, including a servo motor, a linear slide rail, and a slider that slides on the linear slide rail. The X-axis transfer drive assembly 41 is fixed to the slider of the Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42, and the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43 is fixed to the slider of the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41 and is driven by its respective servo motor to slide on the linear slide rail, thereby realizing the horizontal X-axis and Y-axis movement of the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43, the rotary drive assembly 45, and the clamping and flipping fixture 44 connected thereto. Similarly, the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43 is also a motor-driven lead screw and slide rail assembly, including a servo motor, a linear slide rail, and a slider that slides on the linear slide rail. The rotary drive assembly 45 is fixed to the slider to drive the vertical movement of the rotary drive assembly 45 and the clamping and flipping fixture 44. Of course, in other embodiments, the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41, the Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42, and the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43 can be drive assemblies such as motor-driven belt slide rail assemblies, and this is not limited herein. Further, the rotary drive assembly 45 includes a rotary motor and a fixed plate, with a clamping and flipping fixture 44 connected to the fixed plate. The rotary motor drives the clamping and flipping fixture 44 to rotate horizontally, thereby adjusting the horizontal tilt angle. Thus, through the cooperation of the X-axis transfer drive assembly 41, the Y-axis transfer drive assembly 42, the Z-axis lifting drive assembly 43, and the rotary drive assembly 45, movement of the clamping and flipping fixture 44 in various directions can be achieved.The clamping and flipping fixture 44 includes a mounting base 441 and a first clamping part 442 and a second clamping part 443 fixedly disposed on both sides of the mounting base 441. The first clamping part 442 and the second clamping part 443 are arranged opposite to each other to clamp both sides of the middle frame 101. The first clamping part 442 includes a rotary drive member 4421, a first transmission assembly 4422 and a first clamping arm 4423. The rotary drive member 4421 is connected to the first clamping arm 4423 through the first transmission assembly 4422. The second clamping part 443 includes a second transmission assembly 4431 and a second clamping arm 4432. The second transmission assembly 4431 is connected to the first transmission assembly 4422 through a rotating shaft 444 and transmits power to the second clamping arm 4432 to realize the synchronous rotation of the second clamping arm 4432 and the first clamping arm 4423, ensuring the synchronicity of the movement of the first clamping arm 4423 and the second clamping arm 4432 on both sides. Thus, the first clamping arm 4423 and the second clamping arm 4432 of the clamping and flipping fixture 44 clamp the middle frame 101 on both sides, causing the middle frame 101 to rotate 180°. Specifically, the second transmission component 4431 and the first transmission component 4422 are both transmission wheels and belt assemblies connecting the two transmission wheels; the rotary drive component 4421 is a drive motor and a drive wheel, and the drive wheel is connected to the transmission wheel of the first transmission component 4422. In this embodiment, the flipping middle frame device 4 grabs the middle frame 101 with the fan 102 assembled in the fan placement area and causes the middle frame 101 to rotate 180°. Then, the flipping middle frame device 4 places the flipped middle frame 101 in the middle frame placement area of ​​the fixture 22. Of course, in other embodiments, the flipping middle frame device 4 may also use other flipping mechanisms, which are not limited herein.

[0044] In this embodiment, the adapter plate assembly device 5 sequentially assembles the adapter plate 103 and the adapter plate bracket 1030 located on the transmission device 2 onto the flipped-up middle frame 101. Specifically, the adapter plate assembly device 5 includes a first pre-assembly mechanism 51 and a first locking mechanism 52. (See reference...) Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the first pre-installation mechanism 51 picks up the adapter plate 103 and the adapter plate bracket 1030 respectively and pre-installs them on the flipped middle frame 101, while the first locking mechanism 52 locks the adapter plate 103 and the adapter plate bracket 1030 onto the middle frame 101 respectively. Furthermore, the first pre-assembly mechanism 51 includes a four-axis robot 511, a CCD component 512 and a suction unit 513 installed on the drive end of the four-axis robot 511; the CCD component 512 identifies the positions of the adapter plate 103, the adapter plate bracket 1030 and the middle frame 101 located on the transmission device 2 respectively; the suction unit 513 includes a lifting drive unit (specifically a drive cylinder) and a suction head; the lifting drive unit drives the suction head to lift and lower to pick up the adapter plate 103 or the adapter plate bracket 1030; wherein, in order to ensure the pre-assembly effect of the adapter plate 103 or the adapter plate bracket 1030 and the middle frame 101, a pressing part can also be provided; the pressing part includes a drive cylinder and a pressing block; the output end of the drive cylinder is connected to the pressing block, driving the pressing block to move, so as to press the adapter plate 103 or the adapter plate bracket 1030 onto the middle frame 101. The structure of the first locking mechanism 52 is similar to that of the fan assembly device 3, both including a four-axis robot, and screw assembly components and CCD components installed on the drive end of the four-axis robot. The specific working process is similar to that of the fan assembly device 3, and will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, the adapter plate assembly device 5 includes only one first pre-assembly mechanism 51 and one first locking mechanism 52 to realize the assembly of the adapter plate 103 onto the middle frame 101 and the assembly of the adapter plate bracket 1030 onto the middle frame 101. Of course, in other embodiments, two first pre-assembly mechanisms 51 and two first locking mechanisms 52 can be provided to realize the assembly of the adapter plate 103 and the middle frame 101 and the assembly of the adapter plate bracket 1030 and the middle frame 101, respectively. This is not a limitation.

[0045] The specific working process of this adapter plate assembly device 5 is as follows: The four-axis robot arm 511 of the first pre-assembly mechanism 51 moves, driving the CCD component 512 and the suction unit 513 to move and align with the adapter plate 103 in the corresponding mounting seat 221 of the "Adapter Plate Placement Area" in the fixture 22. The CCD component 512 takes a picture and positions it. Then the suction unit 513 picks up the adapter plate 103 and, driven by the four-axis robot arm 511, moves it to the mounting seat 221 corresponding to the "Middle Frame Placement Area" of the fixture 22, aligning it with the middle frame 101, so as to pre-assemble the adapter plate 103 on the middle frame 101. Then the pressing part lowers... The first locking mechanism 52 is then moved to the location of the middle frame 101 and the adapter plate 103 to complete the screw fastening of the adapter plate 103 and the middle frame 101. Then the first pre-installation mechanism 51 repeats its operation to pick up the adapter plate bracket 1030 located on the corresponding snap-fit ​​seat 221 in the "adapter plate bracket area" of the fixture 22, and moves it to the location of the middle frame 101 to pre-install the adapter plate bracket 1030 on the surface of the middle frame 101. The first locking mechanism 52 repeats its operation to complete the screw fastening of the adapter plate bracket 1030 and the middle frame 101.

[0046] The next mechanism after the adapter plate assembly device 5 is a first thermal paste application device 50, which applies thermal paste to the middle frame 101; wherein, see reference Figure 10As shown, the first thermal paste application device 50 includes an X-axis transfer drive unit 501, a Y-axis transfer drive unit 502, a Z-axis lifting drive unit 503, and an application unit 504. Specifically, both the X-axis transfer drive unit 501 and the Y-axis transfer drive unit 502 can be motor-driven lead screw and slide rail assemblies, including a servo motor, a linear slide rail, and a slider that slides on the linear slide rail. The X-axis transfer drive unit 501 is fixed to the slider of the Y-axis transfer drive unit 502, and the Z-axis lifting drive unit 503 is fixed to the slider of the X-axis transfer drive unit 501 and is driven by its respective servo motor to slide on the linear slide rail. The Z-axis lifting drive unit 503 is a lifting cylinder, and the application unit 504 is fixed to the output end of the Z-axis lifting drive unit 503, thereby realizing the movement of the application unit 504 along the X, Y, and Z axes. Of course, in other embodiments, the X-axis transfer drive unit 501, the Y-axis transfer drive unit 502, and the Z-axis lifting drive unit 503 can be drive components such as motor-driven belt slide rail assemblies, and this is not limited herein. Thus, the first thermal paste application device 50 achieves the application of thermal paste to specific locations on the middle frame 101, resulting in a simple structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the first thermal paste application device 50 is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the second thermal paste application device 60 disposed between the motherboard assembly device 6 and the bottom cover assembly device 7 is identical to the first thermal paste application device 50, used to apply thermal paste to specific locations on the motherboard 104 to ensure the heat dissipation effect of the motherboard 104; this will not be described again herein.

[0047] In this embodiment, the motherboard assembly device 6 assembles the motherboard 104 located on the transmission device 2 onto the middle frame 101 equipped with the adapter plate 103. Specifically, the motherboard assembly device 6 includes a second pre-assembly mechanism 61, which picks up the motherboard 104 and pre-assembles it onto the middle frame 101. The structure and operating principle of the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 are basically the same as those of the first pre-assembly mechanism 51; that is, the connection relationships between the components of the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 are basically the same as those between the components of the first pre-assembly mechanism 51, enabling the same operation. Of course, the size and structure of the suction part of the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 may vary depending on the dimensions of the motherboard 104 and the adapter plate 103, or the suction part of the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 may be changed to a gripper, etc., which is conventional technology in the art. Of course, in other embodiments, the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 is not limited to this and may be completely different from the first pre-assembly mechanism 51. The specific working process of the motherboard assembly device 6 is as follows: The four-axis robot arm of the second pre-assembly mechanism 61 moves the CCD component and the suction unit to the corresponding card slot 221 of the "motherboard 104 location area" on the fixture 22, aligns it with the motherboard 104 located thereon, the CCD component takes a picture and positions it, then the suction unit picks up the motherboard 104, and under the drive of the four-axis robot arm, moves it to the corresponding card slot 221 of the "middle frame placement area" on the fixture 22, aligns it with the middle frame 101, so as to pre-assemble the motherboard 104 into the middle frame 101, and then the pressing part presses down to make the motherboard 104 press tightly against the middle frame 101; then at this position, the wiring connection between the motherboard and components such as the fan is completed manually.

[0048] Furthermore, the bottom cover assembly device 7 assembles the bottom cover 105 onto the middle frame 101, which is equipped with the adapter board assembly and the main board 104, to form a domain controller semi-finished product. Specifically, the bottom cover assembly device 7 includes a third pre-installation mechanism 71 and a second locking mechanism 72. The third pre-installation mechanism 71 picks up the bottom cover 105 and pre-installs it onto the middle frame 101, while the second locking mechanism 72 locks the bottom cover 105 onto the middle frame 101. The structure and operating principle of the third pre-installation mechanism 71 are basically the same as those of the first pre-installation mechanism 51, and it can achieve the same operation. Of course, the size and structure of the suction part of the third pre-installation mechanism 71 may vary depending on the size of the main board 104 and the bottom cover 105, or the suction part of the third pre-installation mechanism 71 may be changed to a gripper, etc., which is conventional technology in the art. Meanwhile, the structure and operating principle of the second locking mechanism 72 are similar to those of the first locking mechanism 52, and will not be described again here. Of course, in other embodiments, the third pre-installation mechanism 71 and the second locking mechanism 72 are not limited to this, and may be completely different from the first pre-installation mechanism 51 and the first locking mechanism 52 described above. Similarly, the specific working process of the bottom cover assembly device 7 is as follows: the four-axis robot arm of the third pre-assembly mechanism 71 moves to move the CCD component, the suction part and the pressing part to the corresponding snap-fit ​​seat 221 on the fixture 22 for the "area where the bottom cover 105 is located". Align it with the bottom cover 105 located thereon. The CCD component takes a picture and positions it. Then the suction part picks up the bottom cover 105 and moves it to the snap-fit ​​seat 221 on the fixture 22 for the "middle frame placement area" under the action of the four-axis robot arm. Align it with the middle frame 101 to pre-assemble the bottom cover 105 onto the middle frame 101. Then the pressing part presses down to press the bottom cover 105 tightly against the middle frame 101. Then the second locking mechanism 72 moves to the location of the middle frame 101 to complete the screw fastening of the bottom cover 105 and the middle frame 101. In this way, a semi-finished product of a domain controller is formed.

[0049] The bracket assembly device 8 assembles the left bracket 106 and the right bracket 107 onto both sides of the domain controller semi-finished product, respectively. See details... Figures 11 to 12As shown, the bracket assembly device 8 includes a gripping and transferring mechanism 81, a positioning and clamping mechanism 82, and a locking mechanism 83. The gripping and transferring mechanism 81 grips the domain controller semi-finished product, the left bracket 106, and the right bracket 107 located on the transmission device 2 and transfers them to the positioning and clamping mechanism 82. Specifically, the gripping and transferring mechanism 81 is a six-axis robot 811. The output end of the six-axis robot 811 includes a domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 for gripping the domain controller semi-finished product, and a bracket gripping part 813 for gripping the left bracket 106 or the right bracket 107. Further, both the domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 and the bracket gripping part 813 include a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and a clamping arm driving member for driving the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm to open or close. In this embodiment, to improve assembly efficiency, the output end of the six-axis robot 811 is equipped with a domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 and a bracket gripping part 813. During the first operation, it simultaneously grips the domain controller semi-finished product and a bracket for movement. Then, the six-axis robot 811 performs a second operation, gripping the other bracket and transferring it to the positioning and clamping mechanism 82. This maximizes time savings and improves assembly efficiency. Of course, in other embodiments, the output end of the six-axis robot 811 may only be equipped with one gripping part to accommodate the gripping of the domain controller body 101 and the bracket. In this case, the six-axis robot 811 needs to perform three reciprocating movements to grip and transfer each domain controller component; or the output end of the six-axis robot 811 may be equipped with one domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 and two bracket gripping parts 813 to grip the domain controller semi-finished product, the left bracket 106, and the right bracket 107 at once. This is not a limitation herein.

[0050] Continue reading Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, the positioning and pressing mechanism 82 is located within the conveying range of the gripping and transferring mechanism 81. The positioning and pressing mechanism 82 includes a rotary drive 821 and a receiving seat 822 connected to the output end of the rotary drive 821. The receiving seat 822 is used to place the domain controller semi-finished product. An upper pressing component 823, a left pressing component 824, and a right pressing component 825 are respectively connected to the top and sides of the receiving seat 822 to press against the top surface of the domain controller semi-finished product 101 when the domain controller semi-finished product is placed on the receiving seat 822, and to press the left support 106 and the right support 107 against the sides of the domain controller semi-finished product 101. The upper pressing component 823, the left pressing component 824, and the right pressing component 825 each include a rotary lifting motor and a pressing part connected to the output end of the rotary lifting motor. The pressing part is driven by the rotary lifting motor to approach and press down on the domain controller semi-finished product or to rise and move away from the domain controller semi-finished product.

[0051] The locking mechanism 83 is located above the positioning and clamping mechanism 82 to lock and fix the left bracket 106 to one side of the domain controller semi-finished product 101 and the right bracket 107 to the other side of the domain controller semi-finished product 101. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 83 includes an X-axis drive moving component, a Z-axis lifting drive component, and a screw assembly machine. The output end of the X-axis drive moving component is connected to the Z-axis lifting drive component, and the output end of the Z-axis lifting drive component is connected to the screw assembly machine to drive the screw assembly machine to move along the X-axis and lift along the Z-axis, thereby locking and fixing the left bracket 106 and the right bracket 107 to the two sides of the domain controller semi-finished product 101, respectively. Specifically, the X-axis drive moving component is a drive component arranged along the X-axis direction. This drive component can be a motor-driven belt slide rail component or a motor-driven lead screw slide rail component, which is not limited herein. The Z-axis lifting drive component can be a lifting cylinder, etc. Thus, through the cooperation of the positioning and clamping mechanism 82 and the locking mechanism 83, the screw-locking actions at multiple positions on one side of the left bracket 106 and the domain controller semi-finished product, as well as the screw-locking actions at multiple positions on the other side of the right bracket 107 and the domain controller semi-finished product, are realized. Of course, in other embodiments, the locking mechanism 83 may also have the same structure as the first locking mechanism 52 described above, and this is not a limitation herein.

[0052] This embodiment uses the example of a six-axis robot 811 grasping the domain controller semi-finished product 101 and the right support 107 during the first grasping and grasping the left support 106 during the second grasping as an example.

[0053] The specific operation process of the bracket assembly device 8 is as follows: the six-axis robot 811 of the gripping and transfer mechanism 81 drives the domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 and the bracket gripping part 813 to move onto the fixture 22; the domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 grips the domain controller semi-finished product located on the snap-fit ​​seat 221 corresponding to the "middle frame area", and the bracket gripping part 813 grips the right bracket 107 located on the snap-fit ​​seat 221 corresponding to the "bracket area"; thus driving the movement to the positioning and clamping mechanism 82, the domain controller semi-finished product gripping part 812 will move the domain controller semi-finished product... The finished product is transferred to the receiving seat 822. The upper clamping component 823 is activated, pressing against the surface of the domain controller semi-finished product. Then, the rotation drive 821 drives the receiving seat 822 to rotate so that the right side of the domain controller semi-finished product faces upward, so that the bracket gripping part 813 can place the corresponding right bracket 107 on the side of the domain controller semi-finished product. Then, the right clamping component 825 is activated to press the right bracket 107 against the side of the domain controller semi-finished product, realizing the pre-assembly of the two. The locking mechanism 83 completes the locking action of the pre-assembled right bracket 107 with the side of the domain controller semi-finished product.

[0054] Simultaneously with the locking mechanism 83's operation, the six-axis robot 811 of the gripping and transfer mechanism 81 drives the domain controller semi-finished product gripping unit 812 and the bracket gripping unit 813 to move onto the fixture 22. The bracket gripping unit 813 grips the left bracket 106 located on the corresponding snap-fit ​​seat 221 in the "bracket location area," and then drives it to the positioning and pressing mechanism 82. The rotation drive 821 of the positioning and pressing mechanism 82 drives the receiving seat 822 to rotate, so that the left side of the domain controller semi-finished product faces upward, allowing the bracket gripping unit 813 to place the corresponding left bracket 106 on that side of the domain controller semi-finished product. Then, the left pressing component 824 actuates to press the left bracket 106 against that side of the domain controller semi-finished product, achieving pre-assembly. The locking mechanism 83 completes the locking action between the pre-assembled left bracket 106 and the side of the domain controller semi-finished product. In this way, the assembly of the domain controller semi-finished product with the left bracket 106 and the right bracket 107 is automatically achieved.

[0055] The gripping and transferring mechanism 81 includes a material unloading conveyor 80 along its transport path. The gripping and transferring mechanism 81 transfers the domain controller semi-finished product (i.e., the formed domain controller) assembled with the left support 106 and right support 107, located on the positioning and clamping mechanism 82, to the material unloading conveyor 80, where it is moved and unloaded. The material unloading conveyor can be a common conveyor line structure, where the material is transported by a conveyor line.

[0056] This embodiment also provides a domain controller assembly method based on the above-mentioned automated assembly line, including the following steps:

[0057] A1 provides the aforementioned domain controller automated assembly line to lock and fix the fan to the middle frame;

[0058] A2, flip the middle frame with the fan installed so that the side of the middle frame that is fixed to the fan is facing down;

[0059] A3. Secure the circuit board to the middle frame.

[0060] A4. Lock the bottom cover onto the middle frame so that the bottom cover covers the circuit board.

[0061] A5. Lock and fix the left and right brackets to both sides of the bottom cover respectively.

[0062] In step A3 above, the circuit board is locked and fixed to the middle frame; specifically, it also includes fixing the adapter board assembly to the middle frame and locking and fixing the motherboard to the middle frame; furthermore, the adapter board assembly includes an adapter board and an adapter board bracket; that is, after the middle frame is flipped over, the adapter board and the adapter board bracket are assembled in sequence; then the motherboard is assembled on the middle frame.

[0063] Furthermore, after assembling the adapter board and adapter board bracket onto the mid-frame, thermal paste needs to be applied to specific locations on the mid-frame; and after assembling the motherboard onto the mid-frame, thermal paste needs to be applied to specific locations on the motherboard; in this way, the overall heat dissipation effect of the assembled domain controller is guaranteed.

[0064] Furthermore, the process of assembling the motherboard onto the mid-frame includes two steps: pre-installing the motherboard onto the mid-frame and manually completing the wiring connections between the motherboard and components such as fans.

[0065] Although the invention has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes in form and detail may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, all of which shall be within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. An automated assembly line for domain controllers, characterized in that: The system includes a rack with a transmission device for conveying a middle frame, a fan, a circuit board, a bottom cover, a left bracket, and a right bracket. Along the transmission path of the transmission device are sequentially arranged a fan assembly device, a middle frame flipping device, a circuit board assembly device, a bottom cover assembly device, and a bracket assembly device. The fan assembly device locks the fan to the middle frame. The middle frame flipping device picks up the middle frame located on the transmission device, flips it, and then places it back on the transmission device. The circuit board assembly device assembles the circuit board located on the transmission device onto the flipped middle frame. The bottom cover assembly device assembles the bottom cover onto the middle frame to form a domain controller semi-finished product. The bracket assembly device assembles the left and right brackets onto the two sides of the domain controller semi-finished product, respectively. The circuit board assembly device includes an adapter board assembly device and a motherboard assembly device, which are arranged sequentially along the transmission path of the transmission device; the adapter board assembly device is used to assemble the adapter board and the adapter board bracket onto the middle frame in sequence, and the motherboard assembly device is used to assemble the motherboard onto the middle frame. The first end of the transmission device is provided with a loading station for loading the middle frame, fan, adapter plate, adapter plate bracket, main board, bottom cover, left bracket and right bracket onto the fixture of the transmission device; the fixture is provided with multiple snap-fit ​​seats for the middle frame, fan, adapter plate, adapter plate bracket, main board, bottom cover, left bracket and right bracket to snap and limit their respective positions; The bracket assembly device includes a gripping and transferring mechanism, a positioning and pressing mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The gripping and transferring mechanism grips the domain controller semi-finished product, the left bracket, and the right bracket located on the transmission device and transfers them to the positioning and pressing mechanism. The positioning and pressing mechanism includes a rotary drive and a receiving seat connected to the output end of the rotary drive. The receiving seat is for placing the domain controller semi-finished product. An upper pressing component, a left pressing component, and a right pressing component are respectively connected to the top and sides of the receiving seat to press against the top surface of the domain controller semi-finished product when it is placed on the receiving seat, and to press the left and right brackets against the sides of the domain controller semi-finished product. The locking mechanism is located above the positioning and pressing mechanism to lock and fix the left bracket to one side of the domain controller semi-finished product and the right bracket to the other side of the domain controller semi-finished product. The adapter plate assembly device includes a first pre-installation mechanism and a first locking mechanism. The first pre-installation mechanism sequentially grabs the adapter plate and the adapter plate bracket and pre-installs them on the flipped middle frame. The first locking mechanism sequentially locks the adapter plate and the adapter plate bracket onto the middle frame. The motherboard assembly device includes a second pre-assembly mechanism, which grabs the motherboard located on the transmission mechanism and pre-assembles it on the middle frame equipped with the adapter board. The transmission device consists of vertically parallel conveyor lines. The conveyor lines are equipped with fixtures to hold the middle frame, fan, adapter plate, adapter plate bracket, main board, bottom cover, left bracket, and right bracket. The beginning and end of the two conveyor lines are equipped with lifting platforms to drive the fixtures to flow back between the two conveyor lines. The bottom cover assembly device includes a third pre-assembly mechanism and a second locking mechanism. The third pre-assembly mechanism picks up the bottom cover and assembles it onto the domain controller semi-finished product, and the second locking mechanism locks the bottom cover onto the domain controller semi-finished product.

2. The domain controller automated assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first thermal paste application device is provided between the adapter board assembly device and the motherboard assembly device, which applies thermal paste to the middle frame; a second thermal paste application device is provided between the motherboard assembly device and the bottom cover assembly device, which applies thermal paste to the motherboard.

3. The domain controller automated assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flipping frame device includes an X-axis transfer drive assembly, a Y-axis transfer drive assembly, a Z-axis lifting drive assembly, and a clamping and flipping fixture. The clamping and flipping fixture clamps both sides of the frame and rotates the frame 180 degrees. The output end of the Y-axis transfer drive assembly is connected to the X-axis transfer drive assembly, the drive end of the X-axis transfer drive assembly is connected to the Z-axis lifting drive assembly, and the output end of the Z-axis lifting drive assembly is connected to the clamping and flipping fixture, thereby driving the clamping and flipping fixture to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. The clamping and flipping fixture includes a mounting base and a first clamping part and a second clamping part fixedly disposed on both sides of the mounting base. The first clamping part and the second clamping part are arranged opposite to each other to clamp both sides of the frame. The first clamping part includes a rotary drive component, a first transmission assembly, and a first clamping arm. The rotary drive component is connected to the first clamping arm via the first transmission assembly. The second clamping part includes a second transmission assembly and a second clamping arm. The second transmission assembly is connected to the first transmission assembly via a rotating shaft and transmits power to the second clamping arm, so that the second clamping arm and the first clamping arm rotate synchronously.

4. A method for assembling a domain controller, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: A1, providing an automated assembly line for a domain controller as described in any one of claims 1-3, for locking and fixing the fan to the middle frame; A2, flip the middle frame with the fan installed so that the side of the middle frame that is fixed to the fan is facing down; A3. Secure the circuit board to the middle frame. A4. Lock the bottom cover onto the middle frame so that the bottom cover covers the circuit board. A5. Lock and fix the left and right brackets to both sides of the bottom cover respectively.

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