A dashboard workstation pin removal mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a screw-separating and screw-removing mechanism for an instrument panel workstation, relating to the field of vehicle assembly technology. It includes: a tightening gun for picking up and tightening screws, with a sleeve at its end for installing screws and a spare slot for installing spare screws; a screw-separating mechanism including a placement block for accommodating a single screw, a screw-blowing mechanism for conveying the screw from a vibrating feeder to the placement block, a rotating mechanism for driving the placement block to rotate, and a gripper mechanism for gripping the spare screw and driving it to the spare slot. When the placement block is in a vertical state, it is aligned with the screw-blowing mechanism; when the placement block is rotated to a horizontal state, it is aligned with the sleeve; and a control device, with both the tightening gun and the screw-separating mechanism connected to the control device. This device automates the screw-separating and screw-removing operation and can pick up two screws at a time, effectively improving operational efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure, is easy to use, and can be widely adopted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle assembly technology, and more specifically, to a staple removal mechanism for a dashboard workstation. Background Technology

[0002] In the current technology, with the continuous development and innovation of technology, automobile assembly processes are gradually seeking to improve from manual assembly to automated machine assembly. The same is true in the field of automobile dashboard assembly, especially the screw-separation process in dashboard assembly, which currently has several problems: First, the screw-separation device has a fixed screw position and cannot be rotated; second, screws are usually grasped by a gripper, which limits the assembly cycle.

[0003] In summary, how to provide an instrument station pinning mechanism with high operating efficiency and simple structure is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a screw picking mechanism for instrument panel workstations, which can automate the screw picking operation and pick up two screws at a time, effectively improving the operating efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure and is easy to use, and can be widely used.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A staple dispensing and retrieving mechanism for a dashboard workstation includes:

[0007] A screw tightening gun is used to pick up and tighten screws. Its end is provided with a sleeve for installing screws and a spare slot for installing spare screws.

[0008] The screw-separating mechanism includes a placement block for accommodating a single screw, a screw-blowing mechanism for conveying the screw from a vibrating feeder to the two placement blocks, a rotating mechanism for driving the placement blocks to rotate, and a gripper mechanism. The two placement blocks are both located on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft of the rotating mechanism. The gripper mechanism is used to grip a spare screw and drive the spare screw to move to the spare slot. When the placement block is in a vertical state, it is aligned with the screw-blowing mechanism. When the placement block is rotated to a horizontal state, it is aligned with the sleeve.

[0009] The control device is connected to both the tightening gun and the nail-splitting mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the device also includes a collaborative robot connected to the control device, which is slidably mounted on a traveling track, and the end of the collaborative robot is connected to the tightening gun.

[0011] Preferably, one side of the nailing mechanism is provided with at least one positioning pin, and the positioning plate at the end of the collaborative robot is provided with a positioning hole for engaging with the positioning pin.

[0012] Preferably, a sensor is provided on one side of the pin-separating mechanism. The sensor is used to detect whether the positioning pin and the positioning hole are accurately aligned. The sensor is connected to the control device.

[0013] Preferably, the gripper mechanism includes a gripper for gripping spare screws, an opening / closing cylinder for controlling the opening and closing of the gripper, and a screw-feeding cylinder for driving the gripper to move laterally. The opening / closing cylinder and the screw-feeding cylinder are both connected to the gripper, and the opening / closing cylinder and the screw-feeding cylinder are both connected to the control device.

[0014] Preferably, the tightening gun includes a tightening shaft for driving the sleeve to rotate and an adapter for transmitting the rotational torque of the tightening shaft to the sleeve.

[0015] Preferably, the blown nail mechanism includes a track parallel to the rotating shaft, a blown nail air pipe, and a transverse movement device for moving laterally along the track. The first end of the blown nail air pipe is connected to the vibrating machine, and the second end of the blown nail air pipe can pass through the transverse movement device and be connected to the placement block. The transverse movement device is connected to the control device.

[0016] Preferably, the lateral movement device is a lateral movement cylinder, a lateral movement motor, or a lead screw and nut structure.

[0017] Preferably, a photoelectric sensor is provided above the track, the photoelectric sensor is used to detect whether there is a spare screw on the placement block, and the photoelectric sensor is connected to the control device.

[0018] Using the instrument panel workstation nail picking mechanism provided by this invention, firstly, multiple screws can be placed into a vibrating material machine. Then, the screws are transported from the vibrating material machine to the placement block by a nail blowing mechanism. When the first screw is transported to the first placement block, the nail blowing mechanism can be controlled to move above the second placement block to transport the second screw to the second placement block. After that, the control device can control the rotation mechanism to rotate the placement block from a vertical state to a horizontal state.

[0019] Then, the tightening gun can be controlled to move. When the sleeve of the tightening gun moves to a position aligned with the first placement block, the tightening gun can be controlled to run, screwing the first screw into the sleeve. Simultaneously, the gripper mechanism can be controlled to operate, picking up the spare screw from the second placement block (the block used to place the second screw), and driving the spare screw to move laterally to a position aligned with the spare slot, so that the second screw can be placed into the spare slot. This allows the tightening gun to pick up two screws at once, effectively improving the screw assembly efficiency of the tightening gun. Finally, after the tightening gun completes all the screw picking actions, the entire tightening gun is controlled to move backward, separating the tightening gun from the screw separating mechanism, so that the tightening gun can proceed to the next process.

[0020] In summary, the screw picking mechanism for the dashboard workstation provided by this invention can automate the screw picking operation and pick up two screws at once, effectively improving operational efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure and is easy to use, making it suitable for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the collaborative robot and tightening gun of the instrument panel workstation nail dispensing and retrieving mechanism provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the splitting mechanism;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the nail-splitting mechanism and the tightening gun;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the vibrating feeder.

[0026] Figures 1-4 middle:

[0027] 1 is a collaborative robot, 2 is a tightening gun, 21 is a sleeve, 22 is a spare slot, 23 is a tightening shaft, 24 is an adapter, 3 is a nail splitting mechanism, 31 is a vibrating machine, 32 is a placement block, 321 is an adjusting bolt, 322 is a proximity switch, 33 is a nail blowing mechanism, 331 is a track, 332 is a nail blowing air pipe, 333 is a lateral movement device, 34 is a rotating mechanism, 341 is a rotating shaft, 342 is a rotating cylinder, 35 is a gripper mechanism, 351 is a gripper, 352 is an opening and closing cylinder, 353 is a nail feeding cylinder, 4 is a photoelectric sensor, 5 is a positioning pin, 6 is a positioning plate, and 7 is a sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The core of this invention is to provide a screw picking mechanism for instrument panel workstations, which can automate the screw picking operation and pick up two screws at a time, effectively improving operational efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure and is easy to use, and can be widely adopted.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the collaborative robot and tightening gun of the instrument panel workstation nail dispensing and retrieving mechanism provided by the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the splitting mechanism; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the nail-splitting mechanism and the tightening gun; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the vibrating feeder.

[0031] This specific embodiment provides a staple dispensing and retrieving mechanism for a dashboard workstation, including:

[0032] The tightening gun 2 is used to pick up and tighten screws, and its end is provided with a sleeve 21 for installing screws and a spare slot 22 for installing spare screws.

[0033] The screw-separating mechanism 3 includes a placement block 32 for accommodating a single screw, a screw-blowing mechanism 33 for conveying the screw from the vibrating feeder 31 to the placement block 32, a rotating mechanism 34 for driving the placement block 32 to rotate, and a gripper mechanism 35. Multiple placement blocks 32 are all mounted on the rotating shaft 341 of the rotating mechanism 34. The gripper mechanism 35 is used to grip spare screws and drive the spare screws to move to the spare slot 22. When the placement block 32 is in a vertical state, it is aligned with the screw-blowing mechanism 33. When the placement block 32 is rotated to a horizontal state, it is aligned with the sleeve 21.

[0034] The control device, tightening gun 2 and nail splitting mechanism 3 are all connected to the control device.

[0035] In practical applications, the shape, structure, size, and position of the tightening gun 2 and the nail-separating mechanism 3 can be determined according to the actual situation and needs.

[0036] Using the instrument panel workstation screw picking mechanism provided by the present invention, firstly, multiple screws can be placed into the vibrating feeder 31. Then, the screws are transported from the vibrating feeder 31 to the placement block 32 by the blow-nail mechanism 33. When the first screw is transported to the first placement block 32, the blow-nail mechanism 33 can be controlled to move above the second placement block 32 to transport the second screw to the second placement block 32. After that, the control device can control the rotation mechanism 34 to rotate the placement block 32 from a vertical state to a horizontal state.

[0037] Then, the tightening gun 2 can be controlled to move. When the sleeve 21 of the tightening gun 2 moves to a position aligned with the first placement block 32, the tightening gun 2 can be controlled to run, so as to screw the first screw into the sleeve 21. At the same time, the gripper mechanism 35 can be controlled to run, so as to grab the spare screw on the second placement block 32 (the placement block 32 for placing the second screw), and drive the spare screw to move laterally to a position aligned with the spare slot 22, so as to put the second screw into the spare slot 22. Finally, after the tightening gun 2 has completed all the nail removal actions, the tightening gun 2 is controlled to move backward, so as to separate the tightening gun 2 from the nail separating mechanism 3, so that the tightening gun 2 can enter the next process.

[0038] In summary, the screw picking mechanism for the dashboard workstation provided by this invention can automate the screw picking operation and pick up two screws at once, effectively improving operational efficiency. Moreover, the device has a simple structure and is easy to use, making it suitable for widespread application.

[0039] Based on the above embodiments, preferably, it also includes a collaborative robot 1 connected to a control device, which is slidably mounted on a traveling track, and the end of the collaborative robot 1 is connected to the tightening gun 2. That is, the collaborative robot 1 can drive the tightening gun 2 to move in space so that the tightening gun 2 reaches the assembly position and exits the assembly position after assembly is completed.

[0040] Preferably, the screw-screw mechanism 3 has at least one positioning pin 5 on one side, and the positioning plate 6 at the end of the collaborative robot 1 has a positioning hole for engaging with the positioning pin 5. When the screw-tightening gun 2 is needed to pick up and tighten the screw, the collaborative robot 1 can be controlled to move the screw-tightening gun 2 so that the positioning hole on the positioning plate 6 is aligned with the positioning pin 5 of the screw-screw mechanism 3, thereby ensuring that there is no serious shaking when the screw-tightening gun 2 picks up and tightens the screw.

[0041] Preferably, a sensor 7 is provided on one side of the pin-separating mechanism 3. The sensor 7 is used to detect whether the positioning pin 5 and the positioning hole are accurately aligned. The sensor 7 is connected to the control device. When the sensor 7 detects that the positioning pin 5 and the positioning hole are accurately aligned, the sensor 7 can transmit the signal to the control device to control the operation of the pin-separating mechanism 3.

[0042] Preferably, the gripper mechanism 35 includes a gripper 351 for gripping spare screws, an opening and closing cylinder 352 for controlling the opening and closing of the gripper 351, and a screw feeding cylinder 353 for driving the gripper 351 to move laterally. The opening and closing cylinder 352 and the screw feeding cylinder 353 are both connected to the gripper 351, and both the opening and closing cylinder 352 and the screw feeding cylinder 353 are connected to the control device.

[0043] When the first screw has been removed and the second spare screw needs to be delivered to the spare slot 22 of the tightening gun 2, the opening and closing cylinder 352 can be controlled to open the gripper 351. Then, the feeding cylinder 353 can be controlled to move the gripper 351 to the placement block 32 containing the spare screw. The opening and closing cylinder 352 can be controlled to clamp the placement block 32 containing the spare screw. Then, the feeding cylinder 353 can be controlled to move the placement block 32 containing the spare screw to a position aligned with the spare slot 22. Finally, the opening and closing cylinder 352 can be controlled to open the gripper 351 so that the tightening gun 2 can pick up the spare screw.

[0044] Based on the above embodiments, preferably, the tightening gun 2 includes a tightening shaft 23 for driving the sleeve 21 to rotate and an adapter 24 for transmitting the rotational torque of the tightening shaft 23 to the sleeve 21. The tightening gun 2 can be mounted on an L-shaped plate for tightening and picking up screws. When a screw tightening operation is required, the tightening shaft 23 can be controlled to rotate, and the rotational torque of the tightening shaft 23 can be transmitted to the sleeve 21 through the adapter 24 to pick up and tighten the screw.

[0045] Preferably, the rotating mechanism 34 may include a rotating shaft 341 disposed above the base plate and a rotating cylinder 342 for driving the rotating shaft 341 to rotate. The bottom of the placement block 32 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 341. The top of the placement block 32 is provided with a receiving hole for accommodating screws. The front side of the placement block 32 is provided with an adjusting bolt 321 for limiting the rotation position of the placement block 32. The rotating cylinder 342 is connected to the control device.

[0046] It should be noted that by controlling the operation of the rotary cylinder 342, the rotary shaft 341 is rotated, thereby achieving the purpose of changing the placement block 32 from a vertical state to a horizontal lying state. When the placement block 32 is in a vertical state, the receiving hole at its top can be aligned with the nail blowing mechanism 33 to facilitate the receipt of screws. When the placement block 32 rotates, the adjusting bolt 321 can press against the limit block of the nail splitting mechanism 3 to ensure that the placement block 32 is horizontal, thereby facilitating the tightening gun 2 to pick up the screws on the placement block 32.

[0047] Based on the above embodiments, preferably, the blown nail mechanism 33 includes a track 331 parallel to the rotation axis 341, a blown nail air pipe 332, and a transverse moving device 333 for moving laterally along the track 331. The first end of the blown nail air pipe 332 is connected to the vibrating machine 31, and the second end of the blown nail air pipe 332 can pass through the transverse moving device 333 and be connected to the placement block 32. The transverse moving device 333 is connected to the control device.

[0048] When the first screw needs to be delivered to the first placement block 32, the traverse device 333 can be moved to align the blow-nail air pipe 332 with the top of the first placement block 32, thereby delivering the screw to the first placement block 32 using the blow-nail air pipe 332. When the second spare screw needs to be delivered to the second placement block 32, the traverse device 333 can be moved to align the blow-nail air pipe 332 with the top of the second placement block 32, thereby delivering the spare screw to the second placement block 32 using the blow-nail air pipe 332.

[0049] Preferably, the transverse movement device 333 is a transverse movement cylinder, a transverse movement motor, or a lead screw and nut structure. That is, the type of transverse movement device 333 can be determined according to the actual situation and actual needs during actual application.

[0050] Preferably, a proximity switch 322 for detecting whether a screw is in place can be provided on the placement block 32, and the proximity switch 322 is connected to the control device. When the screw is conveyed to the placement block 32 by the vibrating feeder 31, the proximity switch 322 can effectively detect whether the screw is in place. When the screw is in place, the control device can receive the signal and then control the transverse movement device 333 to operate to convey the spare screw.

[0051] Preferably, a photoelectric sensor 4 is provided above the track 331. The photoelectric sensor 4 is used to detect whether there is a spare screw on the placement block 32. The photoelectric sensor 4 is connected to the control device. When the photoelectric sensor 4 detects that there is a spare screw on the second placement block 32, the photoelectric sensor 4 can transmit the signal to the control device. Then, the control device can control the rotation mechanism 34 to operate, so that the placement block 32 changes from a vertical state to a horizontal lying state, thereby facilitating the tightening gun 2 to pick up the screw on the placement block 32.

[0052] To further illustrate the usage of the instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism provided by this invention, the following examples will be given.

[0053] Step 1: Vibrating material machine 31 provides screws, and the first screw is delivered to the placement block 32 through blow pipe 332;

[0054] Step 2: When the proximity switch 322 senses that the first screw has reached the position, the lateral movement device 333 moves laterally from its original position to above the second placement block 32;

[0055] Step 3: Vibrating material machine 31 provides screws, and the second screw is delivered to the second placement block 32 through blow pipe 332;

[0056] Step 4: After the photoelectric sensor detects that the second screw has reached the position, the rotary cylinder 342 starts to drive the rotary shaft 341 to rotate. The rotary shaft 341 drives the two placement blocks 32 to rotate to a horizontal state (there is an adjusting bolt 321 on the placement block 32 here. The adjusting bolt 321 touches the limit block to ensure that the placement block 32 is in a horizontal state).

[0057] Step 5: The collaborative robot 1 moves to the front of the nail splitting mechanism 3, and the positioning plate 6 at the end of the collaborative robot 1 docks with the two positioning pins 5 of the nail splitting mechanism 3 to ensure accurate positioning.

[0058] Step 6: Sensor 7 detects that the docking is complete. At this time, the sleeve 21 of the tightening gun 2 is facing the first placement block 32. The tightening gun 2 completes the nail removal action by rotating.

[0059] Step 7: After sensor 7 detects that the first screw has been successfully removed, the opening and closing cylinder 352 controls the gripper 351 to clamp the spare screw, and at the same time controls the gripper 351 to move forward and send the spare screw into the spare slot 22 (U-shaped slot) of the tightening gun 2 as a spare screw.

[0060] Step 8: After the tightening gun 2 completes all the nail removal actions, the tightening gun 2 is moved backward to separate the positioning hole and positioning pin 5 of the positioning plate 6, and proceed to the next process.

[0061] It should be noted that the first end and the second end mentioned in this application are only distinguished by their different positions and do not have any order of precedence.

[0062] In addition, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by "upper" and "lower" in this application is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the purpose of simplifying the description and making it easier to understand, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0063] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Any combination of all embodiments provided by this invention is within the scope of protection of this invention and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0064] The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism provided by this invention has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the embodiments above are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to this invention without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A staple dispensing and retrieving mechanism for an instrument panel workstation, characterized in that, include: A screw tightening gun (2) is used to pick up and tighten screws. Its end is provided with a sleeve (21) for installing screws and a spare slot (22) for installing spare screws. The screw-separating mechanism (3) includes a placement block (32) for accommodating a single screw, a screw-blowing mechanism (33) for conveying the screw from the vibrating feeder (31) to the two placement blocks (32), a rotating mechanism (34) for driving the placement blocks (32) to rotate, and a gripper mechanism (35). The two placement blocks (32) are both sleeved on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft (341) of the rotating mechanism (34). A rotating cylinder (342) is used to drive the rotating shaft (341) to rotate. The top of the placement block (32) is provided with a receiving hole for accommodating the screw. The front side of the placement block (32) is provided with an adjusting bolt (321) for limiting the rotation position of the placement block (32). The gripper mechanism (35) is used to grip the spare screw and drive the spare screw to move to the spare slot (22). When the placement block (32) is in a vertical state... When the placement block (32) rotates to a horizontal position, it is aligned with the sleeve (21); the nail blowing mechanism (33) includes a track (331) parallel to the rotating shaft (341), a nail blowing pipe (332), and a transverse moving device (333) for moving laterally along the track (331). The first end of the nail blowing pipe (332) is connected to the vibrating machine (31), and the second end of the nail blowing pipe (332) can pass through the transverse moving device (333) and be connected to the placement block (32); the placement block (32) is provided with a proximity switch (322) for detecting whether the screw is placed in place; a photoelectric sensor (4) is provided above the track (331), and the photoelectric sensor (4) is used to detect whether there is a spare screw on the placement block (32); The control device is connected to the tightening gun (2), the nail-splitting mechanism (3), the rotary cylinder (342), the lateral movement device (333), the proximity switch (322), and the photoelectric sensor (4). When tightening, the tightening gun (2) is controlled to move. When the sleeve (21) of the tightening gun (2) moves to a position aligned with the first placement block (32), the tightening gun (2) is controlled to run to screw the first screw into the sleeve (21). At the same time, the gripper mechanism (35) is controlled to run to pick up the spare screw on the second placement block (32) and drive the spare screw to move laterally to a position aligned with the spare slot (22) to put the second screw into the spare slot (22).

2. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a collaborative robot (1) connected to the control device, which is slidably mounted on a traveling track, and the end of the collaborative robot (1) is connected to the tightening gun (2).

3. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pinning mechanism (3) has at least one positioning pin (5) on one side, and the positioning plate (6) at the end of the collaborative robot (1) has a positioning hole for engaging with the positioning pin (5).

4. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sensor (7) is provided on one side of the pinning mechanism (3). The sensor (7) is used to detect whether the positioning pin (5) and the positioning hole are accurately aligned. The sensor (7) is connected to the control device.

5. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The gripper mechanism (35) includes a gripper (351) for gripping spare screws, an opening and closing cylinder (352) for controlling the opening and closing of the gripper (351), and a screw feeding cylinder (353) for driving the gripper (351) to move laterally. The opening and closing cylinder (352) and the screw feeding cylinder (353) are both connected to the gripper (351), and the opening and closing cylinder (352) and the screw feeding cylinder (353) are both connected to the control device.

6. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The tightening gun (2) includes a tightening shaft (23) for driving the sleeve (21) to rotate and an adapter (24) for transmitting the rotational torque of the tightening shaft (23) to the sleeve (21).

7. The instrument panel workstation pin-removing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The lateral movement device (333) is a lateral movement cylinder, a lateral movement motor, or a lead screw and nut structure.

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