Assembly mechanism and assembly production line

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of assembly equipment technology and discloses an assembly mechanism and assembly production line. The assembly mechanism is used to load soft needles into a base shell and includes a work platform, an assembly component, and a detection component. The assembly component includes a robotic arm, grippers, an adsorption component, and a clamping drive component. The clamping drive component drives the grippers to pick up the soft needles and insert them into the base shell under the drive of the robotic arm. The adsorption component is used to adsorb the base shell. The detection component includes a first detection camera and a second detection camera. The first detection camera is used to detect the posture of the soft needle after it is picked up by the grippers, and the second detection camera is used to detect the relative position of the soft needle and the base shell during assembly. By connecting the grippers and adsorption component to the end of the robotic arm, the functions of gripping, assembly, and transfer are integrated, reducing the number of required devices and space occupancy. Furthermore, the first and second detection cameras perform multi-directional detection, improving positioning accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of assembly equipment technology, and more particularly to an assembly mechanism and assembly production line. Background Technology

[0002] As blood glucose meters become more and more common and their usage rate increases, the requirements for blood glucose meter production lines are also becoming more stringent. Assembling the soft needle and the base of the blood glucose meter is a crucial part of the production line.

[0003] Currently, when assembling the soft needle and base shell of a blood glucose meter, the first step is to use a gripping device to pick up the soft needle from the feeding device. Then, a single detection camera performs posture detection on the gripped soft needle to ensure that the soft needle can align with the base shell. Next, the gripped soft needle is inserted into the base shell, and a pressing device is used to press the soft needle into the base shell to complete the assembly. Finally, the assembled base shell is placed into the discharge position by a feeding device.

[0004] However, during the assembly process, multiple devices such as gripping devices, pressing devices, and feeding devices need to work together, so multiple operating stations need to be set up, which will occupy a lot of space. Moreover, during the assembly process, only a single detection camera is used to detect the posture of the soft needle during gripping, which cannot guarantee the accuracy of the relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell during assembly, resulting in poor positioning accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an assembly mechanism and assembly line that is highly integrated, saves space, has a low space occupancy rate, and provides accurate detection and high positioning precision.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] On one hand, an assembly mechanism is provided for inserting a soft needle into a bottom shell, comprising:

[0008] The work platform, wherein the bottom shell is fixedly mounted on the work platform;

[0009] An assembly assembly includes a robotic arm, grippers, an adsorption component, and a clamping drive component. The clamping drive component and the adsorption component are both connected to the end of the robotic arm. The clamping drive component is used to drive the grippers to grasp the soft needle and insert the soft needle into the bottom shell under the drive of the robotic arm. The adsorption component is used to adsorb the bottom shell.

[0010] The detection component includes a first detection camera and a second detection camera. The soft needle has a gripping station and an assembly station. The first detection camera and the assembly component are both located at the gripping station of the soft needle. The first detection camera is used to detect the posture of the soft needle after it is gripped by the gripper. The working platform and the second detection camera are both located at the assembly station of the soft needle. The second detection camera is used to detect the relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell during assembly.

[0011] Optionally, the assembly assembly further includes a pressing rod and a connecting plate, the connecting plate being connected to the end of the robotic arm, the pressing rod, the suction element, and the clamping drive element being connected to the connecting plate, the pressing rod pressing the soft needle inserted into the bottom shell under the drive of the robotic arm.

[0012] Optionally, the assembly further includes an adjusting block and an adjusting bolt. The pressing rod is disposed on the adjusting block, and the adjusting block has an adjusting through hole. The connecting plate has a plurality of adjusting threaded holes corresponding to the adjusting through hole. The adjusting bolt passes through the adjusting through hole and is threadedly engaged with the adjusting threaded hole at the corresponding position.

[0013] Optionally, the assembly assembly further includes an adsorption slider, an adsorption slide rail, and an adsorption drive component. The adsorption slide rail is connected to the connecting plate, the adsorption slider is slidably disposed on the adsorption slide rail along the height direction, the adsorption component is connected to the adsorption slider, and the adsorption drive component is used to drive the adsorption slider to slide on the adsorption slide rail.

[0014] Optionally, the detection component further includes a third detection camera, which is located at the gripping station of the soft needle and cooperates with the first detection camera to detect the posture of the soft needle after it has been gripped by the gripper.

[0015] Optionally, the first detection camera and the second detection camera are arranged vertically.

[0016] Optionally, the detection component further includes a detection light source, and the front ends of the first detection camera, the second detection camera, and the third detection camera are all connected to the detection light source.

[0017] Optionally, the working platform includes a platform plate, and the platform plate has a product carrier cavity for placing the bottom shell.

[0018] Optionally, the working platform further includes a locking block and a locking drive. The locking block is slidably disposed on the platform plate, and the locking drive is used to drive the locking block to slide on the platform plate. The locking block is used to press the bottom shell into the product carrier cavity.

[0019] On the other hand, an assembly line is provided, the assembly line including the assembly mechanism as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] This invention provides an assembly mechanism that connects both the gripper and the suction unit to the end of a robotic arm. The robotic arm can then use the gripper and its clamping drive to grip, transport, and insert the soft needle into a base shell. Furthermore, the robotic arm can use the suction unit to pick up the assembled base shell and transfer it from the work platform to the discharge position. This integrates gripping, assembly, and transport functions, eliminating the need for multiple devices, reducing the number of required equipment and workstations, and minimizing space occupancy. Additionally, a first detection camera detects the attitude of the soft needle at the gripping station, and a second detection camera at the assembly station detects the relative position of the soft needle and the base shell. These multiple detection methods improve positioning accuracy.

[0022] The present invention also provides an assembly line that, by applying the above-described assembly mechanism, reduces the number of required devices, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves the product qualification rate due to the improved positioning accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of the assembly mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the assembly component of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the front end of the robotic arm of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a first-view structural diagram of the working platform of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a second-view structural diagram of the working platform of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the platform plate portion in the working platform of the present invention.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 1. Working platform; 11. Platform plate; 12. Platform support; 13. Locking block; 14. Locking drive component; 15. Bearing plate; 151. Product carrier cavity; 16. Locking slide plate; 17. Drive plate; 18. Intermediate plate;

[0031] 2. Assembly components; 201. Robotic arm; 202. Gripper; 203. Adsorption component; 204. Clamping drive component; 205. Mounting support; 206. Pressing rod; 207. Connecting plate; 208. Support frame; 209. Adjusting block; 210. Adsorption slider; 211. Adsorption slide rail; 212. Adsorption drive component; 213. Fixed plate; 214. Moving plate; 215. Mounting plate;

[0032] 3. Detection components; 31. First detection camera; 32. Second detection camera; 33. First support; 34. Second support; 35. Third detection camera; 36. Third support; 37. Detection light source. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0034] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0037] In order to reduce the number of operating stations, reduce the space occupied, and improve the positioning accuracy during assembly, this embodiment provides an assembly mechanism for inserting soft needles into the bottom shell.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the assembly mechanism includes a work platform 1, an assembly component 2, and a detection component 3. The bottom shell is fixed on the work platform 1. The assembly component 2 includes a robotic arm 201, a gripper 202, an adsorption component 203, and a clamping drive component 204. The clamping drive component 204 and the adsorption component 203 are both connected to the end of the robotic arm 201. The clamping drive component 204 is used to drive the gripper 202 to grip the soft needle and insert the soft needle into the bottom shell under the drive of the robotic arm 201. The adsorption component 203 is used to adsorb the bottom shell. The detection component 3 includes a first detection camera 31 and a second detection camera 32. The soft needle has a gripping station and an assembly station. The first detection camera 31 and the assembly component 2 are both located at the gripping station of the soft needle. The first detection camera 31 is used to detect the posture of the soft needle after it is gripped by the gripper 202. The work platform 1 and the second detection camera 32 are both located at the assembly station of the soft needle. The second detection camera 32 is used to detect the relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell during assembly.

[0039] By connecting both the gripper 202 and the suction unit 203 to the end of the robotic arm 201, the robotic arm 201 can use the gripper 202 and the clamping drive unit 204 to complete the gripping, transporting, and inserting of the soft needle into the bottom shell. The robotic arm 201 can also use the suction unit 203 to pick up the assembled bottom shell and transfer it from the work platform 1 to the discharge position, thereby realizing the integration of gripping, assembly, and transfer functions. This eliminates the need for multiple devices to work together, reducing the number of required devices, the number of operating stations, and the space occupancy rate. Furthermore, by setting a first detection camera 31 to detect the posture of the soft needle at the gripping station and setting a second detection camera 32 at the assembly station to detect the relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell, the positioning accuracy is improved through multiple detection methods.

[0040] In this embodiment, the suction element 203 is a suction nozzle, which, when connected to the air extraction device, forms a low-pressure area at its end, thereby achieving adsorption of the bottom shell. In this embodiment, the assembly assembly 2 also includes an adsorption connector connected to the suction element 203. The air extraction device is connected to the suction element 203 through the adsorption connector. In this embodiment, the clamping drive element 204 is a cylinder, which pneumatically controls the opening and closing of the gripper 202. Therefore, the assembly assembly 2 also includes an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the clamping drive element 204. Furthermore, to facilitate the alternating use of the suction element 203 and the gripper 202, and to facilitate the handling of the soft needle and the bottom shell, the robotic arm 201 is a four-axis robotic arm, enabling movement along the X, Y, and Z axes, as well as rotation along the R axis. To facilitate the fixing and height compensation of the robotic arm 201, the assembly assembly 2 also includes a mounting support 205, on which the robotic arm 201 is fixedly connected. The detection component 3 also includes a first bracket 33 and a second bracket 34. The first detection camera 31 is fixedly connected to the clamping station via the first bracket 33, and the second detection camera 32 is fixedly connected to the assembly station via the second bracket 34. The first detection camera 31 and the second detection camera 32 send the captured data to the terminal device to analyze the posture and relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell, thereby ensuring the positioning accuracy during assembly.

[0041] Optionally, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, assembly component 2 also includes a pressing rod 206 and a connecting plate 207. The connecting plate 207 is connected to the end of the robotic arm 201. The pressing rod 206, the suction component 203, and the clamping drive component 204 are all connected to the connecting plate 207. Under the drive of the robotic arm 201, the pressing rod 206 presses down on the soft needle inserted into the bottom shell. Since the gripper 202 holds the soft needle, the clamping force is not too large to avoid damaging the soft needle. Therefore, when inserting the soft needle into the bottom shell, there may be cases where it is not inserted completely. Therefore, by setting the pressing rod 206 to press down on the soft needle inserted into the bottom shell, the assembly is ensured to be in place.

[0042] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the assembly assembly 2 also includes a support frame 208. The connecting plate 207 is connected to the end of the robotic arm 201 through the support frame 208, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the connecting plate 207. In order to avoid interference between the clamping drive 204, the pressing rod 206 and the adsorption member 203 during installation, the pressing rod 206 and the adsorption member 203 are connected on the same side of the connecting plate 207, and the clamping drive 204 is connected on the other side of the connecting plate 207.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, assembly component 2 also includes an adjusting block 209 and an adjusting bolt. A pressing rod 206 is mounted on the adjusting block 209, which has an adjusting through hole. The connecting plate 207 has multiple adjusting threaded holes corresponding to the adjusting through hole. The adjusting bolt passes through the adjusting through hole and engages with the corresponding adjusting threaded hole. By connecting the pressing rod 206 to the adjusting block 209 and adjusting the position of the adjusting block 209 on the connecting plate 207, the position of the pressing rod 206 can be adjusted, thereby improving the positional flexibility of the pressing rod 206. In this embodiment, the adjusting block 209 also has a mounting hole, through which the pressing rod 206 passes.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, assembly component 2 also includes an adsorption slider 210, an adsorption slide rail 211, and an adsorption drive component 212. The adsorption slide rail 211 is connected to the connecting plate 207. The adsorption slider 210 is slidably disposed on the adsorption slide rail 211 along the height direction. The adsorption component 203 is connected to the adsorption slider 210. The adsorption drive component 212 is used to drive the adsorption slider 210 to slide on the adsorption slide rail 211. Since the stroke range of the robotic arm 201 is large, it cannot achieve fine adjustment in the height direction. In order to avoid damaging the bottom shell due to exceeding the limit when the adsorption component 203 adsorbs the bottom shell, the adsorption slider 210, the adsorption slide rail 211, and the adsorption drive component 212 are set to achieve fine adjustment of the adsorption height of the adsorption component 203, thereby avoiding damage to the bottom shell when adjusting the height of the adsorption component 203.

[0045] In this embodiment, the adsorption drive 212 is a bolt. The assembly assembly 2 also includes a fixed plate 213 and a movable plate 214. The fixed plate 213 is fixedly connected to the connecting plate 207, and the movable plate 214 is fixedly connected to the adsorption slider 210. The fixed plate 213 has a threaded hole, and the adsorption drive 212 is threaded into the threaded hole. One end of the drive 212 passes through the threaded hole and is rotatably connected to the movable plate 214. By rotating the adsorption drive 212, the movable plate 214 can be raised or lowered. The adsorption component 203 is fixedly connected to the movable plate 214. In order to accommodate different strokes and facilitate the replacement of adsorption slide rails 211 of different lengths, the assembly assembly 2 also includes a mounting plate 215. The mounting plate 215 is bolted to the connecting plate 207, and the adsorption slide rail 211 is connected to the mounting plate 215.

[0046] Optionally, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the detection component 3 also includes a third detection camera 35, which is located at the needle gripping station and works in conjunction with the first detection camera 31 to detect the posture of the needle after it has been gripped by the gripper 202. By using both the first detection camera 31 and the third detection camera 35 to perform multi-angle detection of the needle's posture, the accuracy of the detection is improved. In this embodiment, the detection component 3 also includes a third bracket 36, through which the third detection camera 35 is fixedly connected to the gripping station.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first detection camera 31 and the second detection camera 32 are vertically arranged. By vertically arranging the first detection camera 31 and the second detection camera 32, the posture of the soft needle can be detected from both horizontal and vertical directions, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection. In this embodiment, the first detection camera 31 is placed vertically to detect the posture of the soft needle from bottom to top, and the third detection camera 35 is placed horizontally to detect the horizontal angle of the soft needle.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the detection component 3 also includes a detection light source 37, and the front ends of the first detection camera 31, the second detection camera 32, and the third detection camera 35 are all connected to the detection light source 37. By setting the detection light source 37 at the front ends of the first detection camera 31, the second detection camera 32, and the third detection camera 35, good lighting is ensured during detection, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection.

[0049] Optionally, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the work platform 1 includes a platform plate 11, on which a product mounting cavity 151 for placing the bottom shell is provided. By providing the product mounting cavity 151 on the platform plate 11, it is convenient to fix the bottom shell on the platform plate 11 and the installation position of the bottom shell is defined. In this embodiment, the work platform 1 also includes a platform bracket 12, on which the platform plate 11 is connected. By providing the platform bracket 12, not only is the support strength of the platform plate 11 strengthened, but it is also convenient to connect the platform plate 11 to the corresponding equipment.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the work platform 1 also includes a locking block 13 and a locking drive 14. The locking block 13 is slidably disposed on the platform plate 11, and the locking drive 14 is used to drive the locking block 13 to slide on the platform plate 11. The locking block 13 is used to press the bottom shell into the product cavity 151. By setting the locking block 13, which can slide on the platform plate 11, the bottom shell is pressed into the product cavity 151, preventing the bottom shell from being misaligned due to external factors such as vibration, which would affect the assembly work.

[0051] In this embodiment, the working platform 1 further includes a support plate 15, a locking slide plate 16, a drive plate 17, and an intermediate plate 18. The platform plate 11 has an installation groove, and the support plate 15 is installed in the installation groove. The product carrier cavity 151 is opened on the support plate 15. When it is necessary to place a bottom shell of different models, the replacement work can be completed by replacing the support plate 15 without replacing the platform plate 11, which reduces the difficulty of replacement. The locking slide plate 16 is also provided in the installation groove. The locking slide plate 16 has a sliding groove, and the drive plate 17 is slidably set in the sliding groove. The sliding groove plays a limiting and guiding role for the sliding of the drive plate 17. The locking block 13 is connected to the drive plate 17. The drive plate 17 is connected to the output end of the locking drive component 14 through the intermediate plate 18. For example, the locking drive component 14 is a cylinder.

[0052] In this embodiment, an assembly production line is also provided, which includes the assembly mechanism described above. By applying the assembly mechanism, the number of required devices is reduced, manufacturing costs are lowered, and the product qualification rate is improved due to the improved positioning accuracy.

[0053] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assembly mechanism for inserting a soft needle into a bottom shell, characterized in that, The assembly mechanism includes: The work platform (1) has a bottom shell fixed on it. Assembly component (2), the assembly component (2) includes a robotic arm (201), a gripper (202), an adsorption component (203) and a clamping drive component (204), the clamping drive component (204) and the adsorption component (203) are both connected to the end of the robotic arm (201), the clamping drive component (204) is used to drive the gripper (202) to grip the soft needle, and insert the soft needle into the bottom shell under the drive of the robotic arm (201), the adsorption component (203) is used to adsorb the bottom shell after assembly; The detection component (3) includes a first detection camera (31) and a second detection camera (32). The soft needle has a gripping station and an assembly station. The first detection camera (31) is located at the gripping station of the soft needle. The assembly component (2) transports the soft needle between the gripping station and the assembly station. The first detection camera (31) is used to detect the posture of the soft needle after it is gripped by the gripper (202). The work platform (1) and the second detection camera (32) are both located at the assembly station of the soft needle. The second detection camera (32) is used to detect the relative position of the soft needle and the bottom shell during assembly. The assembly assembly (2) further includes a pressing rod (206) and a connecting plate (207). The connecting plate (207) is connected to the end of the robotic arm (201). The pressing rod (206), the suction member (203), and the clamping drive member (204) are all connected to the connecting plate (207). The pressing rod (206) presses the soft needle inserted on the bottom shell under the drive of the robotic arm (201).

2. The assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly component (2) further includes an adjustment block (209) and an adjustment bolt. The pressing rod (206) is provided on the adjustment block (209). An adjustment through hole is provided on the adjustment block (209). A plurality of adjustment threaded holes corresponding to the adjustment through hole are provided on the connecting plate (207). The adjustment bolt passes through the adjustment through hole and is threadedly engaged with the adjustment threaded hole at the corresponding position.

3. The assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly assembly (2) further includes an adsorption slider (210), an adsorption slide rail (211), and an adsorption drive (212). The adsorption slide rail (211) is connected to the connecting plate (207). The adsorption slider (210) is slidably disposed on the adsorption slide rail (211) along the height direction. The adsorption component (203) is connected to the adsorption slider (210). The adsorption drive (212) is used to drive the adsorption slider (210) to slide on the adsorption slide rail (211).

4. The assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection component (3) further includes a third detection camera (35), which is located at the gripping station of the soft needle and cooperates with the first detection camera (31) to detect the posture of the soft needle after it is gripped by the gripper (202).

5. The assembly mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first detection camera (31) and the third detection camera (35) are arranged vertically.

6. The assembly mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The detection component (3) further includes a detection light source (37), and the front ends of the first detection camera (31), the second detection camera (32) and the third detection camera (35) are all connected to the detection light source (37).

7. The assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working platform (1) includes a platform plate (11), on which a product carrier cavity (151) for placing the bottom shell is provided.

8. The assembly mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The working platform (1) further includes a locking block (13) and a locking drive (14). The locking block (13) is slidably disposed on the platform plate (11). The locking drive (14) is used to drive the locking block (13) to slide on the platform plate (11). The locking block (13) is used to press the bottom shell into the product carrier cavity (151).

9. An assembly line, characterized in that, The assembly line includes the assembly mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-8.

Images