An automatic assembly machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode and its assembly process

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic assembling machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode and its assembling process, belonging to the technical field of automatic assembly. It includes a frame, as well as a conveying device, a clamping device, a bending and shaping device, and an automatic guiding and pressing mechanism arranged on the frame. By setting an electrode pressing module and an electrode guiding module in the automatic guiding and pressing mechanism, the automatic guiding and pressing operation of the electronic cigarette electrode is realized, with high automation degree, meeting the high-efficiency operation in the electrode assembly process. By setting clamping jaws, a jacking and positioning device, etc., the atomizer is accurately clamped and positioned, facilitating the rapid bending and shaping treatment of the leads of the heating wire. At the same time, the bending and shaping effect is carried out on multiple groups of heating wire leads, greatly improving the bending and shaping efficiency of the heating wire leads of the atomizer, and the application prospect is quite remarkable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automated assembly, and particularly relates to an automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode and an assembly process thereof. Background Art

[0002] An electronic cigarette converts solutions such as e-liquid and medicine stored in an atomization device into vapor, aerosol, steam, etc. through heating for users to inhale or use. An electronic cigarette is generally provided with an atomizer. When the atomizer is powered on, the solution in the oil cup can be heated and atomized into vapor or aerosol. The atomizer is provided with a heating wire, and leads are provided at both ends of the heating wire. During the production process of an electronic cigarette, in order to facilitate the installation of electrodes on the atomizer, it is necessary to bend and shape the leads of the heating wire of the atomizer, and then install the electrodes. Currently, for the electrode assembly of electronic cigarettes and the bending treatment of the leads of the heating wire, manual assembly is generally used. Since the electrodes and the heating wire structure of electronic cigarettes are tiny, it is inconvenient to operate during assembly, and the assembly efficiency is low; moreover, because it is manual assembly, it is easy to make mistakes and miss installing electrodes, resulting in uneven quality of the finished products. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the electrode assembly of electronic cigarettes and the bending treatment of the heating wire.

[0003] In the prior art, a Chinese patent with the publication number CN106455687A provides a grasping arm, an electronic cigarette electrode assembly device and an assembly method. The grasping arm includes at least two clamping sub-arms arranged at the end of the grasping arm and cooperating with each other. Clamping driving mechanisms are respectively connected to the plurality of clamping sub-arms, and the clamping driving mechanisms are connected to a controller. Through this grasping arm, the grasping arm can automatically grasp the electronic cigarette electrode to realize the automatic assembly of the electronic cigarette electrode. To a certain extent, this electronic cigarette electrode assembly device solves the problem of the assembly of electronic cigarette electrodes. However, for many electronic cigarette products, the atomizer has a sealing silicone. When assembling the electrode, it is necessary to transport and embed the electrode into two silicone holes of the sealing silicone to form a tight fit. The existing automatic electronic cigarette electrode assembly device has a narrow application range and poor versatility, and it is difficult to realize the automatic guiding and pressing operation of the electronic cigarette electrode, and the degree of automation is low.

[0004] In addition, a Chinese patent with the publication number CN213826776U provides a batch U-shaped bending device for the lead wire of an e-cigarette heating wire, which includes a bending driving module. A bending device is installed on the bending driving module. A pin carrier is arranged on one side of the bending device, and a pin positioning device is installed above the pin carrier. The heating wire lead is fixedly transported through the pin carrier, the pins are positioned and fixed through the pin positioning device, and the positioned pins are bent through the bending device. To a certain extent, this bending device for the e-cigarette heating wire lead solves the problem of bending the e-cigarette heating wire. However, this bending device for the heating wire lead has a complex structure and a relatively high manufacturing cost. Secondly, this bending device for the heating wire lead clamps the positioned pins and then performs the bending operation. Due to the limited toughness strength of the heating wire lead, using the method of directly bending the clamped pins easily causes the heating wire lead to be broken, making it difficult to achieve the automatic bending operation of the e-cigarette heating wire lead, and its scope of application is relatively narrow.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the problems existing in the prior art, there is an urgent need to provide an automatic assembly machine for the electrodes of an e-cigarette atomizer and its assembly process to meet the requirements of automatic assembly of the electrodes of the e-cigarette. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problems in the related art, the present invention proposes an automatic assembly machine for the electrodes of an e-cigarette atomizer and its assembly process to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior related art.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows: An automatic assembly machine for the electrodes of an e-cigarette atomizer includes a frame, and a conveying device, a clamping device, a bending and shaping device, and an automatic guiding and pressing mechanism arranged on the frame.

[0008] A fixture plate is conveyed on the conveying device, and atomizers are arranged in rows on the fixture plate. The heating wire leads of the atomizers are arranged vertically. The clamping device and the bending and shaping device are respectively arranged on both sides of the conveying device along its conveying direction.

[0009] The clamping device includes a clamping jaw and a clamping jaw driving unit that drives the clamping jaw to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; the bending and shaping device includes a substrate, and a pressing plate is fixedly connected to one side of the substrate close to the conveying device; a pressing roller assembly is further arranged on the substrate, and a first bending driving unit that drives the pressing roller assembly to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second bending driving unit that drives the pressing roller assembly to move up and down in the vertical direction.

[0010] The automatic guiding and pressing mechanism includes a bearing plate, and an electrode adsorption main body, an electrode pressing module and an electrode guiding module arranged on the bearing plate. The electrode adsorption main body is fixed on the bearing plate in the vertical direction. The electrode adsorption main body has a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is connected with a vacuum generator through a pipeline. A nozzle extends downward from the lower end of the electrode adsorption main body. The nozzle is provided with a concave cavity for accommodating the electrode. The electrode adsorption main body further includes a pressing slideway which extends upward from the concave cavity, passes through the vacuum chamber and penetrates from the top.

[0011] The electrode pressing module includes a pressing rod and a pressing driving unit for driving the pressing rod to move up and down. The pressing rod extends into the pressing slideway and is in sliding fit with the pressing slideway.

[0012] The electrode guiding module is located at the lower part of the bearing plate and includes a base plate and a guiding driving unit for driving the base plate to telescopically move in the horizontal direction. A guiding spring nozzle is arranged on one side of the base plate close to the electrode adsorption main body. A guiding channel is formed through the middle of the guiding spring nozzle.

[0013] When the jig plate is conveyed in place, the clamping jaws extend out to clamp and fix the atomizer on the jig plate. The pressing plate abuts against the heating wire lead of the atomizer. The pressing roller assembly drives the heating wire lead to move towards the side of the pressing plate to roll and deform the heating wire lead. The nozzle of the electrode adsorption main body adsorbs the electrode. The guiding driving unit drives the guiding spring nozzle to extend out so that the guiding spring nozzle is coaxially arranged with the nozzle. Under the thrust of the pressing rod, the electrode is introduced from the upper end of the guiding channel and led out from the lower end along the guiding channel.

[0014] In the present invention, it can be combined and spliced with an electronic cigarette automatic production line according to different assembly site requirements. The electrode assembly efficiency is high and the applicable range is wide. By setting an electrode pressing module and an electrode guiding module, the automatic guiding and pressing operation of the electronic cigarette electrode is realized, the automation degree is high, and the high-efficiency operation in the electrode assembly process is satisfied.

[0015] As a further improvement of the above solution, the guiding spring nozzle includes a base and a plurality of guiding units extending downward from the base. The guiding units are arranged in a surrounding manner. A groove is arranged on the side wall of each guiding unit, and the grooves communicate with each other to form an annular groove. An elastic ring is sleeved on the annular groove, and the elastic ring provides an inward pre-tightening force for each guiding unit.

[0016] As a further improvement of the above solution, a guiding portion is provided at the lower end of the guiding spring nozzle. When installing an electrode, the guiding spring nozzle is inserted into the silica gel hole of the electrode to be installed through the guiding portion. When the electrode is introduced into the guiding channel, the outer peripheral side wall of the guiding portion gradually expands the silica gel hole to install the electrode in place; the guiding channel of the guiding spring nozzle is a conical structure, and the width dimension of the inlet end of the guiding channel is larger than that of the outlet end.

[0017] It should be noted that the existing electronic cigarette atomizer has a sealing silica gel. When assembling the electrode, the electrode needs to be transported and inserted into two silica gel holes of the sealing silica gel to form a tight fit. The existing automatic assembly device for electronic cigarette electrodes is difficult to realize the automatic guiding and pressing operation of electronic cigarette electrodes, and the degree of automation is relatively low; further, a guiding spring nozzle is provided, and the outer peripheral side wall of the guiding portion gradually expands the silica gel hole to allow the smooth introduction of the electrode and form a tight fit. The electrode installation operation is convenient and efficient.

[0018] As a further improvement of the above solution, the inner diameter dimension of the concave cavity is larger than that of the pressing slideway, and a stepped annular surface is provided at the junction of the concave cavity and the pressing slideway. When the electrode is adsorbed into the concave cavity, the upper end surface of the electrode abuts against the stepped annular surface; a notch is provided on the seat plate, and a through hole is provided in the middle of the notch. Each guiding unit of the guiding spring nozzle extends into the through hole, and the base of the guiding spring nozzle is engaged with the notch in a clamping manner; a pressing plate is further included, and the pressing plate presses and fixes the guiding spring nozzle on the seat plate; the cooperation of the notch and the base of the guiding spring nozzle effectively improves the installation efficiency of the guiding spring nozzle; at the same time, the pressing plate is fixed on the seat plate of the guiding spring nozzle, which can effectively ensure the installation firmness of the guiding spring nozzle.

[0019] As a further improvement of the above solution, a plurality of electrode adsorption bodies are provided, and the electrode adsorption bodies are arranged in a row. The number of the pressing rods is adapted to the number of the electrode adsorption bodies. The upper parts of the pressing rods are fixedly connected to a synchronous plate, and the output shaft of the pressing drive unit is in transmission connection with the synchronous plate;

[0020] A plurality of the clamping jaws are provided, and the plurality of clamping jaws are arranged in a row. The number of the pressing plates and the pressing roller assemblies is adapted to the number of the clamping jaws; arranging a plurality of clamping hands in a row and configuring the pressing plates and the pressing roller assemblies with appropriate numbers can simultaneously perform the bending and shaping of multiple groups of heating wire leads, greatly improving the bending and shaping efficiency of the heating wire leads of the atomizer, and the application prospect is quite remarkable.

[0021] As a further improvement of the above solution, the pressure roller assembly includes a vertical plate and an L-shaped bracket. A roller shaft for rolling the lead wire of the heating wire is provided on the L-shaped bracket. A pressure roller guide rail extending in the vertical direction is provided on the vertical plate. A pressure roller slider is provided on the L-shaped bracket. The L-shaped bracket is slidably engaged with the pressure roller guide rail on the vertical plate through the pressure roller slider. An elastic unit is further connected between the two in the vertical direction. The elastic unit provides a downward pre-tightening force for the L-shaped bracket.

[0022] The top of the vertical plate extends toward one side of the L-shaped bracket to form a baffle. An adjusting bolt is further included. The adjusting bolt passes through the baffle from top to bottom and is connected to the L-shaped bracket. The elastic unit is a compression spring. The compression spring is sleeved on the adjusting bolt. One end of the compression spring abuts against the lower end face of the baffle, and the other end abuts against the upper end face of the L-shaped bracket.

[0023] Setting the elastic unit to provide a downward pre-tightening force for the L-shaped bracket effectively avoids the rigid contact between the roller shaft on the L-shaped bracket and the lead wire of the heating wire, and reduces defects such as accidental breakage of the heating wire during the bending and shaping process.

[0024] As a further improvement of the above solution, the automatic guiding and pressing mechanism further includes an X-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the X-axis, a Y-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the Y-axis, and a Z-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the Z-axis. In order to expand the pressing operation range of the automatic guiding and pressing mechanism, further, X-axis driving devices, Y-axis driving devices, and Z-axis driving devices with multiple degrees of freedom are set, so that it has strong versatility and can be combined and spliced with the automatic electronic cigarette production line according to the requirements of different assembly sites, and has a wider application range.

[0025] The bending and shaping device is further provided with a third bending driving unit for driving the substrate to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a fourth bending driving unit for driving the substrate to move up and down in the vertical direction. In order to expand the bending and shaping operation range of the bending and shaping device, further, the third bending driving unit and the fourth bending driving unit are set to meet its spatial movement operation requirements and have a wide application range.

[0026] As a further improvement of the above solution, the conveying device includes two parallelly extending profile steels. A left conveyor belt and a right conveyor belt are respectively arranged on the inner sides of the two profile steels. Each conveyor belt is arranged in a closed loop along the circumferential direction of the profile steel. The jig plate is located between the two profile steels. The lower end face of the jig plate straddles and presses against the left conveyor belt and the right conveyor belt. A conveying motor is further included. The left conveyor belt and the right conveyor belt are synchronously driven by the conveying motor.

[0027] As a further improvement of the above solution, it further includes a jacking and positioning device. The jacking and positioning device includes a jacking cylinder, and a jacking plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the jacking cylinder. At least two positioning pins are provided on the jacking plate, and positioning holes corresponding to the positioning pins are provided on the jig plate. When the jig plate is conveyed to the bending and shaping station to be processed, the output end of the jacking cylinder jacks upward, and the positioning pins are engaged with the positioning holes on the jig plate.

[0028] A plurality of pin columns are arranged in rows on the jig plate, and the pin columns are adapted to the shape of the oil cup of the atomizer. The atomizer is fixed by the cooperation of the oil cup and the pin columns on the jig plate. By providing clamping jaws, a jacking and positioning device, etc., the atomizer is accurately clamped and positioned, so that the heating wire lead remains in a stable and fixed state during the bending and shaping process, ensuring the quality of the bending and shaping of the heating wire lead.

[0029] An assembly process for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode uses an automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode as described above, and includes the following steps:

[0030] Step 1: The oil cup of the atomizer is positioned in cooperation with the pin columns on the jig plate. The jig plate reaches the assembly station under the conveying action of the conveying device. At this time, the output end of the jacking cylinder of the jacking and positioning device jacks upward, and the positioning pins are engaged with the positioning holes on the jig plate.

[0031] Step 2: Each clamping jaw extends out to clamp and fix the atomizer on the jig plate. The pressing plate abuts against the heating wire lead of the atomizer, and the pressing roller assembly drives the heating wire lead to move toward the side of the pressing plate, rolling and deforming the heating wire lead.

[0032] Step 3: The nozzle of the electrode adsorption main body sucks the electrode and adsorbs the electrode in the concave cavity. The guiding drive unit drives the guiding spring nozzle to extend out, so that the guiding spring nozzle and the nozzle are coaxially arranged, and under the driving of the X-axis driving device and the Y-axis driving device, it moves to the assembly station.

[0033] Step 4: The Z-axis driving device drives the guiding spring nozzle to descend. The guiding spring nozzle is embedded into the silicone hole position where the electrode is to be installed through the guiding part. The electrode pressing module presses down to press the electrode in the concave cavity of the nozzle into the silicone hole position.

[0034] Step 5: While the Z-axis driving device drives the guiding spring nozzle to rise, the electrode pressing module presses the electrode downward at the same speed, and the guiding spring nozzle withdraws from the silicone hole position.

[0035] Step 6: The clamping jaws and the pressing roller assembly retract, and the electrode assembly is completed.

[0036] The beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0037] (1) It has strong versatility and can be combined and spliced with the automatic e-cigarette production line according to the requirements of different assembly sites. It has high electrode assembly efficiency and a wide range of applications. By setting up the electrode press-fitting module and the electrode guiding module, the automatic guiding and press-fitting operation of the e-cigarette electrode is realized, with high automation and meeting the high-efficiency operation in the electrode assembly process;

[0038] (2) It is stable and reliable. By setting up clamping jaws, lifting and positioning devices, etc., the atomizer is accurately clamped and positioned, which is convenient for quickly bending and shaping the leads of the heating wire. And the bending and shaping automation degree is high, with a wide range of applications;

[0039] (3) Multiple grippers are arranged in a row, and a pressure plate and a pressure roller assembly with a suitable number are configured to simultaneously bend and shape multiple groups of heating wire leads, greatly improving the bending and shaping efficiency of the heating wire leads of the atomizer, and the application prospect is quite remarkable. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic guiding and press-fitting mechanism of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the automatic guiding and press-fitting mechanism of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 It is a sectional view of the automatic guiding and press-fitting mechanism of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the electrode adsorption main body of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 6 It is a sectional view of the electrode adsorption main body of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 It is an exploded schematic diagram of the guiding spring nozzle of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the conveying device, the clamping device and the bending and shaping device of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of the clamping device and the bending and shaping device of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the clamping device of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 11 It is a perspective view of the bending and shaping device of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 12Side view of the bending and shaping device of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 13 Schematic structural diagram of the jacking and positioning device of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 14 Schematic working diagram of the present invention;

[0054] Reference numerals:

[0055] 1. Frame;

[0056] 2. Automatic guiding and pressing mechanism; X1. X-axis driving device; Y1. Y-axis driving device; Z1. Z-axis driving device;

[0057] 21. Carrier plate;

[0058] 22. Electrode adsorption main body; 221. Nozzle; 222. Concave cavity; 223. Vacuum chamber; 224. Pressing slideway;

[0059] 23. Electrode pressing module; 231. Pressing rod; 232. Pressing driving unit; 233. Synchronous plate;

[0060] 24. Electrode guiding module; 241. Seat plate; 2411. Notch; 242. Guiding driving unit; 243. Guiding spring nozzle; 243a. Guiding channel; 2431. Base; 2432. Guiding unit; 2433. Ring groove; 2434. Guiding part; 2435. Elastic ring;

[0061] 244. Pressing plate; 245a. First guide rail; 245b. First slider; 246a. Second guide rail; 246b. Second slider;

[0062] 25. Digital display pressure module;

[0063] 3. Conveying device; 31. Wire profile; 32a. Left conveyor belt; 32b. Right conveyor belt; 33. Conveying motor;

[0064] 4. Clamping device; 41. Claw; 42. Claw driving unit; 43. Driving plate; 44. Flexible material;

[0065] 5. Bending and shaping device; 51. Substrate; 52. Pressing plate; 53. Pressing roller assembly; 531. Vertical plate; 532. L-shaped bracket; 533. Roller shaft; 534. Baffle; 535. Elastic unit; 536. Adjusting bolt; 541. First bending driving unit; 542. Second bending driving unit; 543. Third bending driving unit; 544. Fourth bending driving unit; 55a. Pressing roller guide rail; 55b. Pressing roller slider;

[0066] 6. Jacking and positioning device; 61. Jacking cylinder; 62. Jacking plate; 63. Positioning pin;

[0067] 7. Fixture plate; 71. Positioning hole; 72. Pin column;

[0068] 8. Atomizer; 81. Heating wire lead; 82. Electrode; 83. Silicone hole position;

[0069] P1. Platform. Detailed implementation manner

[0070] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0071] As Figures 1-14 shown, an automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode includes a frame 1, and a conveying device 3, a clamping device 4, a bending and shaping device 5, and an automatic guiding and pressing mechanism 2 provided on the frame 1.

[0072] A fixture plate 7 is conveyed on the conveying device 3, and atomizers 8 are arranged in rows on the fixture plate 7. The heating wire leads 81 of the atomizers 8 are arranged vertically. In this embodiment, the conveying device 3 includes two parallelly extending profile steels 31. Left and right conveyor belts 32a and 32b are respectively arranged inside the two profile steels 31. Each conveyor belt is arranged in a closed loop along the circumferential direction of the profile steel 31. The fixture plate 7 is located between the two profile steels 31, and the lower end surface of the fixture plate 7 straddles and presses against the left conveyor belt 32a and the right conveyor belt 32b. It also includes a conveying motor 33, and the left conveyor belt 32a and the right conveyor belt 32b are synchronously driven by the conveying motor 33.

[0073] The clamping device 4 includes a jaw 41 and a jaw driving unit 42 that drives the jaw 41 to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. In this embodiment, a plurality of jaws 41 are provided, and the plurality of jaws 41 are arranged in a row. The number of pressure plates 52 and roller assemblies 53 is adapted to the number of jaws 41. Arranging a plurality of jaws in a row and configuring a corresponding number of pressure plates 52 and roller assemblies 53 to simultaneously perform the bending and shaping function on multiple groups of heating wire leads 81 greatly improves the bending and shaping efficiency of the heating wire leads 81 of the atomizer 8, and the application prospect is quite remarkable. Specifically, the number of jaws 41 is preferably 3, and the 3 jaws 41 are arranged on the same driving plate 43 and driven by a single jaw driving unit 42. In this embodiment, the jaws 41 are preferably pneumatic fingers, and the jaw driving unit 42 is preferably a cylinder.

[0074] In this embodiment, flexible materials 44 are provided on the inner walls of the two fingers of the clamping jaw 41, and the shape of the flexible materials 44 is adapted to the outer shape of the atomizer 8; by setting the flexible materials 44 to abut against the outer shell of the atomizer 8, on the one hand, the gap between the atomizer 8 and the clamping jaw 41 can be filled to ensure that the clamping jaw 41 firmly clamps the atomizer 8; on the other hand, the flexible materials 44 abut against the atomizer 8, which can effectively prevent the rigid contact between the clamping jaw 41 and the outer shell of the atomizer 8 and damage the surface quality of the atomizer 8.

[0075] The bending and shaping device 5 includes a base plate 51, and an abutting plate 52 is fixedly connected to one side of the base plate 51 close to the conveying device 3; a pressing roller assembly 53 is further provided on the base plate 51, and a first bending driving unit 541 for driving the pressing roller assembly 53 to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second bending driving unit 542 for driving the pressing roller assembly 53 to move up and down in the vertical direction;

[0076] When the jig plate 7 is conveyed in place, the clamping jaw 41 extends out to clamp and fix the atomizer 8 on the jig plate 7, the abutting plate 52 abuts against the heating wire lead 81 of the atomizer 8, and the pressing roller assembly 53 drives the heating wire lead 81 to move toward the side of the abutting plate 52 to roll and deform the heating wire lead 81. In this embodiment, the pressing roller assembly 53 rolls and deforms the heating wire lead 81, wherein the bending angle range of the heating wire lead 81 is 80-100 degrees, and the preferred bending angle is 90 degrees.

[0077] In this embodiment, the bending and shaping device 5 is further provided with a third bending driving unit 543 for driving the base plate 51 to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a fourth bending driving unit 544 for driving the base plate 51 to move up and down in the vertical direction; in order to expand the bending and shaping operation range of the bending and shaping device 5, further, the third bending driving unit 543 and the fourth bending driving unit 544 are provided to meet its spatial movement operation requirements and have a wide application range.

[0078] In this embodiment, the pressing roller assembly 53 includes a vertical plate 531 and an L-shaped bracket 532, and a roller shaft 533 for rolling the heating wire lead 81 is provided on the L-shaped bracket 532.

[0079] A pressing roller guide rail 55a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the vertical plate 531, a pressing roller slider 55b is provided on the L-shaped bracket 532, and the L-shaped bracket 532 is slidably matched with the pressing roller guide rail 55a on the vertical plate 531 through the pressing roller slider 55b; an elastic unit 535 is further connected between the two in the vertical direction, and the elastic unit 535 provides a downward pre-tightening force for the L-shaped bracket 532.

[0080] In this embodiment, the top of the vertical plate 531 extends along one side facing the L-shaped bracket 532 to form a baffle 534; further included is an adjusting bolt 536, which passes through the baffle 534 from top to bottom and is connected to the L-shaped bracket 532; the elastic unit 535 is a compression spring, and the compression spring is sleeved on the adjusting bolt 536. One end of the compression spring abuts against the lower end surface of the baffle 534, and the other end abuts against the upper end surface of the L-shaped bracket 532; the elastic unit 535 is provided to provide a downward pre-tightening force for the L-shaped bracket 532, effectively avoiding the rigid contact between the roller shaft 533 on the L-shaped bracket 532 and the heating wire lead 81, and reducing defects such as accidental breakage of the heating wire during the bending and shaping process.

[0081] In this embodiment, a jacking and positioning device 6 is further included. The jacking and positioning device 6 includes a jacking cylinder 61, and the output end of the jacking cylinder 61 is fixedly connected with a jacking plate 62. At least two positioning pins 63 are provided on the jacking plate 62, and positioning holes 71 corresponding to the positioning pins 63 are provided on the jig plate 7. When the jig plate 7 is conveyed to the bending and shaping station to be processed, the output end of the jacking cylinder 61 jacks up upward, and the positioning pins 63 cooperate with the positioning holes 71 on the jig plate 7; in this embodiment, a plurality of pin posts 72 are arranged in rows on the jig plate 7, and the pin posts 72 are adapted to the shape of the oil cup of the atomizer 8. The atomizer 8 is fixed by cooperating the oil cup with the pin posts 72 on the jig plate 7; by providing the clamping jaws 41, the jacking and positioning device 6, etc. to accurately clamp and position the atomizer 8, the heating wire lead 81 is kept in a stable fixed state during the bending and shaping process, ensuring the bending and shaping quality of the heating wire lead 81.

[0082] The automatic guiding and pressing mechanism 2 includes a bearing plate 21, and an electrode adsorption main body 22, an electrode pressing module 23 and an electrode guiding module 24 arranged on the bearing plate 21. In this embodiment, the automatic guiding and pressing mechanism 2 further includes an X-axis driving device X1 for driving the bearing plate 21 to move along the X-axis, a Y-axis driving device Y1 for driving the bearing plate 21 to move along the Y-axis, and a Z-axis driving device Z1 for driving the bearing plate 21 to move along the Z-axis; in order to expand the pressing operation range of the automatic guiding and pressing mechanism 2, further, X-axis driving devices X1, Y-axis driving devices Y1 and Z-axis driving devices Z1 with multiple degrees of freedom are provided, making it highly versatile and capable of being combined and spliced with the e-cigarette automatic production line according to the requirements of different assembly sites, with a wider application range; specifically, the X-axis driving device X1, the Y-axis driving device Y1 and the Z-axis driving device Z1 preferably use linear modules.

[0083] The electrode adsorption body 22 is fixed on the supporting plate 21 in the vertical direction, and the electrode adsorption body 22 has a vacuum chamber 223, and the vacuum chamber 223 is connected to a vacuum generator through a pipeline; the lower end of the electrode adsorption body 22 extends downward to form a suction nozzle 221, and the suction nozzle 221 is provided with a concave cavity 222 for accommodating the electrode 82; the electrode adsorption body 22 also includes a press-fitting slide 224, and the press-fitting slide 224 extends upward from the concave cavity 222, passes through the vacuum chamber 223, and penetrates from the top; in this embodiment, the vacuum generator is connected to compressed air to generate negative pressure in the vacuum chamber 223, and the electrodes 82 are adsorbed one by one through the suction nozzle 221; specifically, in this embodiment, the electrodes 82 are arranged in sequence on a platform P1, and the suction nozzle 221 adsorbs the electrodes 82 on the platform P1 one by one.

[0084] In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the cavity 222 is larger than the inner diameter of the press-fitting slide 224. The junction of the cavity 222 and the press-fitting slide 224 has a circle of stepped annular surface. When the electrode 82 is adsorbed into the cavity 222, the upper end surface of the electrode 82 abuts against the stepped annular surface. The provision of the stepped annular surface can quickly limit the electrode 82 adsorbed into the cavity 222 to prevent it from falling into the vacuum chamber 223.

[0085] The electrode press-fitting module 23 includes a press rod 231 and a press-fitting driving unit 232 for driving the press rod 231 to move up and down. The press rod 231 extends into the press-fitting slideway 224 and slides with the press-fitting slideway 224. In this embodiment, the electrode adsorption body 22 is provided with a plurality of them, and each electrode adsorption body 22 is arranged in a row. The number of the press rods 231 matches the number of the electrode adsorption bodies 22. The upper part of each press rod 231 is fixedly connected to a synchronous plate 233, and the output shaft of the press-fitting driving unit 232 is connected to the synchronous plate 233 in a transmission manner. Specifically, the number of the electrode adsorption bodies 22 and the press rods 231 is preferably 3, and the multiple electrode adsorption bodies 22 act simultaneously, which greatly improves the automatic assembly efficiency of the electrode 82.

[0086] The electrode guide module 24 is located at the lower part of the carrier plate 21, and includes a seat plate 241 and a guide drive unit 242 that drives the seat plate 241 to extend and retract in the horizontal direction. A guide spring mouth 243 is provided on the side of the seat plate 241 close to the electrode adsorption body 22, and the middle part of the guide spring mouth 243 is penetrated to form a guide channel 243a; the suction nozzle 221 of the electrode adsorption body 22 adsorbs the electrode 82, and the guide drive unit 242 drives the guide spring mouth 243 to extend so that the guide spring mouth 243 and the suction nozzle 221 are coaxially arranged. Under the thrust of the pressure rod 231, the electrode 82 is introduced from the upper end of the guide channel 243a and is discharged from the lower end along the guide channel 243a.

[0087] In this embodiment, the guiding spring nozzle 243 includes a base 2431 and a plurality of petal-shaped guiding units 2432 extending downward from the base 2431. The guiding units 2432 are arranged in a surrounding manner. A groove is provided on the side wall of each guiding unit 2432, and the grooves communicate with each other to form an annular groove 2433. An elastic ring 2435 is sleeved on the annular groove 2433, and the elastic ring 2435 provides an inward pre-tightening force for each guiding unit 2432.

[0088] In this embodiment, a guiding portion 2434 is provided at the lower end of the guiding spring nozzle 243. When installing the electrode 82, the guiding spring nozzle 243 is inserted into the silicone hole 83 of the electrode 82 to be installed through the guiding portion 2434. When the electrode 82 is introduced into the guiding channel 243a, the outer peripheral side wall of the guiding portion 2434 gradually expands the silicone hole 83 to install the electrode 82 in place.

[0089] It should be noted that the existing electronic cigarette atomizer 8 has a sealing silicone. When assembling the electrode 82, the electrode 82 needs to be transported and inserted into two silicone holes 83 of the sealing silicone to form a tight fit. The existing automatic assembly device for electronic cigarette electrodes 82 is difficult to realize the automatic guiding and pressing operation of the electronic cigarette electrode 82, and the degree of automation is relatively low. Further, by setting the guiding spring nozzle 243, the outer peripheral side wall of the guiding portion 2434 gradually expands the silicone hole 83 to allow the smooth introduction of the electrode 82 and form a tight fit. The installation operation of the electrode 82 is convenient and efficient.

[0090] In this embodiment, the guiding channel 243a of the guiding spring nozzle 243 is a conical structure, and the width dimension of the inlet end of the guiding channel 243a is larger than that of the outlet end.

[0091] In this embodiment, a notch 2411 is provided on the seat plate 241. A through hole is provided in the middle of the notch 2411. Each guiding unit 2432 of the guiding spring nozzle 243 extends into the through hole, and the base 2431 of the guiding spring nozzle 243 is in snap-fit with the notch 2411. A pressing plate 244 is further included, and the pressing plate 244 presses and fixes the guiding spring nozzle 243 on the seat plate 241. The cooperation between the notch 2411 and the base 2431 of the guiding spring nozzle 243 effectively improves the installation efficiency of the guiding spring nozzle 243. At the same time, by setting the pressing plate 244 fixed on the seat plate 241 of the guiding spring nozzle 243, the installation firmness of the guiding spring nozzle 243 can be effectively guaranteed.

[0092] In this embodiment, the supporting plate 21 is provided with a first guide rail 245a extending in the vertical direction, and the synchronous plate 233 is fixedly connected to a first slider 245b, and the synchronous plate 233 is slidably matched with the first guide rail 245a on the supporting plate 21 through the first slider 245b; the seat plate 241 is provided with a second guide rail 246a extending in the horizontal direction, and the lower end surface of the supporting plate 21 is fixedly connected to a second slider 246b, and the seat plate 241 is slidably matched with the second slider 246b on the supporting plate 21 through the second guide rail 246a; in order to improve the smoothness of the automatic guided pressing mechanism 2, further, the sliders are provided to cooperate with each other, which can effectively reduce the friction resistance between components and ensure the reliable operation of the automatic guided pressing mechanism 2.

[0093] In this embodiment, the vacuum generator is also connected to a digital pressure module 25 for monitoring the negative pressure value of the vacuum chamber 223; when the negative pressure value is detected to be greater than or lower than the preset negative pressure range, the digital pressure module 25 alarms; by setting the digital pressure module 25 to monitor the negative pressure value in real time, manual omissions such as lack of materials in assembly can be avoided, thereby greatly improving the yield rate of finished electronic cigarettes.

[0094] Through the above solution of the present invention, in a specific application: an assembly process of an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode includes the following steps:

[0095] Step 1: The oil cup of the atomizer 8 is positioned with the pin 72 on the jig plate 7. The jig plate 7 reaches the assembly station under the conveying action of the conveying device 3. At this time, the output end of the lifting cylinder 61 of the lifting and positioning device 6 is lifted upward, and the positioning pin 63 is matched with the positioning hole 71 on the jig plate 7.

[0096] Step 2: Each clamping claw 41 extends to clamp and fix the atomizer 8 on the fixture plate 7, the pressing plate 52 presses against the heating wire lead 81 of the atomizer 8, and the pressing roller assembly 53 drives the heating wire lead 81 to move toward one side of the pressing plate 52 to roll and deform the heating wire lead 81;

[0097] Step 3: The suction nozzle 221 of the electrode suction body 22 sucks the electrode 82 and adsorbs the electrode 82 into the concave cavity 222; the guide driving unit 242 drives the guide spring nozzle 243 to extend so that the guide spring nozzle 243 and the suction nozzle 221 are coaxially arranged, and are driven by the X-axis driving device X1 and the Y-axis driving device Y1 to move to the assembly station;

[0098] Step 4: The Z-axis driving device Z1 drives the guide spring nozzle 243 to descend, and the guide spring nozzle 243 is embedded in the silicone hole 83 of the electrode 82 to be installed through the guide portion 2434, and the electrode pressing module 23 is pressed down to press the electrode 82 in the concave cavity 222 of the suction nozzle 221 into the silicone hole 83;

[0099] Step Five: While the Z-axis driving device Z1 drives the guiding spring nozzle 243 to rise, the electrode pressing module 23 presses the electrode 82 downward at an equal speed, and the guiding spring nozzle 243 withdraws from the silicone hole 83;

[0100] Step Six: The clamping jaws 41 and the roller pressing assembly 53 retract, and the assembly of the electrode 82 is completed.

[0101] According to the disclosure and teachings of the above specification, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can also make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes to the invention should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. In addition, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of description and do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic assembly machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode, comprising a frame, and a conveying device, a clamping device, a bending and shaping device, and an automatic guiding and pressing mechanism arranged on the frame, characterized in that: A jig plate is conveyed on the conveying device, and atomizers are arranged in rows on the jig plate. The heating wire leads of the atomizers are arranged vertically. The clamping device and the bending and shaping device are respectively arranged on both sides of the conveying device along its conveying direction. The clamping device includes a clamping jaw, and a clamping jaw driving unit for driving the clamping jaw to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; the bending and shaping device includes a base plate, and a pressing plate is fixedly connected to one side of the base plate close to the conveying device; a pressing roller assembly is further arranged on the base plate, and a first bending driving unit for driving the pressing roller assembly to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a second bending driving unit for driving the pressing roller assembly to move up and down in the vertical direction. The automatic guiding and pressing mechanism includes a bearing plate, and an electrode adsorption body, an electrode pressing module and an electrode guiding module arranged on the bearing plate. The electrode adsorption body is fixed on the bearing plate in the vertical direction. The electrode adsorption body has a vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum generator through a pipeline; the lower end of the electrode adsorption body extends downward to form a suction nozzle, and the suction nozzle is provided with a concave cavity for accommodating the electrode; the electrode adsorption body further includes a pressing slideway, and the pressing slideway extends upward from the concave cavity, passes through the vacuum chamber, and penetrates from the top. The electrode pressing module includes a pressing rod, and a pressing driving unit for driving the pressing rod to move up and down. The pressing rod extends into the pressing slideway and is slidably matched with the pressing slideway. The electrode guiding module is located at the lower part of the bearing plate, and includes a base plate, and a guiding driving unit for driving the base plate to expand and contract in the horizontal direction. A guiding spring nozzle is arranged on one side of the base plate close to the electrode adsorption body, and a guiding channel is formed through the middle of the guiding spring nozzle. When the jig plate is conveyed in place, the clamping jaw extends out to clamp and fix the atomizer on the jig plate. The pressing plate abuts against the heating wire lead of the atomizer. The pressing roller assembly drives the heating wire lead to move toward the side of the pressing plate, and rolls and deforms the heating wire lead; the suction nozzle of the electrode adsorption body adsorbs the electrode. The guiding driving unit drives the guiding spring nozzle to extend out, so that the guiding spring nozzle and the suction nozzle are coaxially arranged. Under the thrust of the pressing rod, the electrode is introduced from the upper end of the guiding channel and exported from the lower end along the guiding channel.

2. The automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 1, wherein The guiding spring nozzle includes a base, and a plurality of guiding units extending downward from the base. The guiding units are arranged in a surrounding manner. A groove is arranged on the side wall of each guiding unit, and the grooves communicate with each other to form an annular groove. An elastic ring is sleeved on the annular groove, and the elastic ring provides an inward pre-tightening force for each guiding unit.

3. The automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lower end of the guiding spring nozzle is provided with a guiding part. When installing the electrode, the guiding spring nozzle is embedded into the silica gel hole position of the electrode to be installed through the guiding part. When the electrode is introduced into the guiding channel, the outer peripheral side wall of the guiding part gradually expands the silica gel hole position to install the electrode in place; the guiding channel of the guiding spring nozzle is a conical structure, and the width dimension of the inlet end of the guiding channel is larger than that of the outlet end.

4. An automatic assembling machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner diameter dimension of the concave cavity is larger than that of the press-fitting slideway. There is a stepped ring surface at the junction of the concave cavity and the press-fitting slideway. When the electrode is adsorbed into the concave cavity, the upper end surface of the electrode abuts against the stepped ring surface; a notch is provided on the seat plate, and a through hole is provided in the middle of the notch. Each guiding unit of the guiding spring nozzle extends into the through hole, and the base of the guiding spring nozzle is in snap-fit with the notch; further included is a pressing plate, and the pressing plate presses and fixes the guiding spring nozzle on the seat plate.

5. An automatic assembly machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple electrode adsorption bodies, and each electrode adsorption body is arranged in a row. The number of the pressing rods is adapted to the number of the electrode adsorption bodies. The upper parts of each pressing rod are fixedly connected to a synchronous plate, and the output shaft of the press-fitting driving unit is in transmission connection with the synchronous plate; there are multiple clamping jaws, and multiple clamping jaws are arranged in a row. The number of the pressing plates and the press roller assemblies is adapted to the number of the clamping jaws.

6. An automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, The press roller assembly includes a vertical plate and an L-shaped bracket. A roller shaft for rolling the heating wire lead is provided on the L-shaped bracket. A press roller guide rail extending in the vertical direction is provided on the vertical plate. A press roller slider is provided on the L-shaped bracket, and the L-shaped bracket is in sliding fit with the press roller guide rail on the vertical plate through the press roller slider; an elastic unit is also connected between the two in the vertical direction, and the elastic unit provides a downward pre-tightening force for the L-shaped bracket. The top of the vertical plate extends towards the side of the L-shaped bracket to form a baffle; further included is an adjusting bolt, which passes through the baffle from top to bottom and is connected to the L-shaped bracket; the elastic unit is a compression spring, and the compression spring is sleeved on the adjusting bolt. One end of the compression spring abuts against the lower end surface of the baffle, and the other end abuts against the upper end surface of the L-shaped bracket.

7. An automatic assembly machine for an electronic cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic guiding press-fitting mechanism further includes an X-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the X-axis, a Y-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the Y-axis, and a Z-axis driving device for driving the carrier plate to move along the Z-axis; the press-bending and shaping device is further provided with a third press-bending driving unit for driving the substrate to expand and contract in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and a fourth press-bending driving unit for driving the substrate to move up and down in the vertical direction.

8. An automatic assembly machine for an electrode of an electronic cigarette atomizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device includes two line profiles extending in parallel. A left conveyor belt and a right conveyor belt are respectively provided on the inner sides of the two line profiles. Each conveyor belt is arranged in a closed loop along the circumferential direction of the line profile. The fixture plate is located between the two line profiles, and the lower end surface of the fixture plate straddles and presses against the left conveyor belt and the right conveyor belt; further included is a conveying motor, and the left conveyor belt and the right conveyor belt are synchronously driven by the conveying motor.

9. An automatic assembly machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a jacking and positioning device. The jacking and positioning device includes a jacking cylinder. A jacking plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the jacking cylinder. At least two positioning pins are provided on the jacking plate. Positioning holes corresponding to the positioning pins are provided on the jig plate. When the jig plate is conveyed to the bending and shaping station to be processed, the output end of the jacking cylinder jacks upward, and the positioning pins are engaged with the positioning holes on the jig plate. A plurality of pin columns are arranged in a row on the jig plate. The pin columns are adapted to the shape of the oil cup of the atomizer. The atomizer is fixed by the cooperation of the oil cup and the pin columns on the jig plate.

10. An assembly process for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode, which applies an automatic assembly machine for an e-cigarette atomizer electrode as described in any one of claims 1-9, is characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Step 1: The oil cup of the atomizer is positioned by cooperating with the pin columns on the jig plate. The jig plate reaches the assembly station under the conveying action of the conveying device. At this time, the output end of the jacking cylinder of the jacking and positioning device jacks upward, and the positioning pins are engaged with the positioning holes on the jig plate. Step 2: Each jaw extends to clamp and fix the atomizer on the jig plate. The pressing plate abuts against the lead of the heating wire of the atomizer. The roller assembly drives the lead of the heating wire to move toward the side of the pressing plate to roll and deform the lead of the heating wire. Step 3: The nozzle of the electrode adsorption main body sucks the electrode and adsorbs the electrode in the concave cavity. The guiding drive unit drives the guiding spring nozzle to extend so that the guiding spring nozzle is coaxially arranged with the nozzle. Under the drive of the X-axis drive device and the Y-axis drive device, it moves to the assembly station. Step 4: The Z-axis drive device drives the guiding spring nozzle to descend. The guiding spring nozzle is embedded into the silicone hole position where the electrode is to be installed through the guiding part. The electrode pressing module presses down to press the electrode in the concave cavity of the nozzle into the silicone hole position. Step 5: While the Z-axis drive device drives the guiding spring nozzle to rise, the electrode pressing module presses the electrode downward at the same speed, and the guiding spring nozzle withdraws from the silicone hole position. Step 6: The jaws and the roller assembly retract, and the electrode assembly is completed.

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