An automatic riveting tool for automobile crossbeams

Abstract

This invention discloses an automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams, comprising a riveting platform, a horizontal rail for steel strip clamps, a steel strip clamp fixing seat, a steel strip clamp servo motor, a steel strip positioning clamp, a horizontal rail for a robotic arm, a rivet robot, a robotic arm drive motor, a rivet gun, a rivet feeding mechanism, and a controller. The automotive crossbeam is horizontally mounted on the riveting platform via several crossbeam positioning mechanisms; the horizontal rail for steel strip clamps is horizontally fixed to the riveting platform; the steel strip clamp fixing seat is slidably mounted on the horizontal rail for steel strip clamps; one end of the steel strip positioning clamp is mounted on the clamp fixing seat via a steel strip clamp lifting mechanism; the horizontal rail for the robotic arm is horizontally fixed to the riveting platform; and the rivet robot is slidably mounted on the horizontal rail for the robotic arm. This automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams enables the automatic insertion of steel strips into the automotive crossbeams and aligns the rivet holes on both, achieving fully automated riveting of the steel strips and automotive crossbeams, thus improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams. Background Technology

[0002] For pure electric vehicles, driving range is a bottleneck, severely restricting their development. To address this major challenge, the concept of lightweighting in automobiles has emerged. More and more mid-to-high-end cars are using aluminum alloy structural components to replace traditional, bulky, and heavy iron structural components made through stamping and welding. Taking automotive crossbeams as an example, aluminum's density is only one-third that of iron, significantly reducing its weight. As the optimal alternative, traditional spot welding and projection welding processes for nuts on automotive crossbeams need to be replaced by corresponding press-fit nuts and pull-fit nuts. At the same time, customers' performance requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, forcing the crossbeams to provide more and more functions, resulting in a greater number of standard components and a more complex dashboard structure. Furthermore, the riveting of standard components is difficult because each component is small and varied, and the riveted parts are of different sizes and structures, with long and thin steel strips, making alignment with the holes on the crossbeams challenging. Therefore, fully automated riveting is difficult to achieve, and currently, most riveting is still semi-automatic, which is relatively cheaper. However, this leads to problems such as missing rivets on standard parts and using the wrong rivet nuts, which are only discovered during vehicle assembly by the OEM. The serious consequences of this include production line shutdowns, unnecessary rework, and increased manual inspection at multiple stages, resulting in significant waste of testing costs. This is most evident in the various parts of the dashboard crossbeam. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams, which enables the steel strip to be automatically inserted into the automotive crossbeam and aligns the riveting holes on both, thereby achieving fully automated riveting of the steel strip and the automotive crossbeam and improving work efficiency.

[0004] The technical solution to achieve the above objectives is: an automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams, comprising a riveting platform, a horizontal rail for a steel strip clamp, a steel strip clamp fixing seat, a steel strip clamp servo motor, a steel strip positioning clamp, a horizontal rail for a robotic arm, a riveting robotic arm, a robotic arm drive motor, a rivet gun, a rivet feeding mechanism, and a controller, wherein:

[0005] The automobile crossbeam is laterally mounted on the riveting platform via several crossbeam positioning mechanisms;

[0006] The horizontal rail of the steel strip clamp is fixed laterally to the riveting platform, and the horizontal rail of the steel strip clamp is located on one side of the automobile crossbeam;

[0007] The steel strip clamp fixing seat is slidably mounted on the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp;

[0008] The servo motor of the steel strip clamp drives the steel strip clamp fixing seat to move along the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp;

[0009] One end of the steel strip positioning clamp is mounted on the clamp fixing seat via a steel strip clamp lifting mechanism. When the steel strip clamp fixing seat moves toward the vehicle crossbeam along the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp, it drives the steel strip inside the steel strip positioning clamp to insert into the vehicle crossbeam.

[0010] The horizontal rail of the robotic arm is fixed laterally to the riveting platform, and the horizontal rail of the robotic arm is located behind the crossbeam of the automobile.

[0011] The riveting robot arm is slidably mounted on the horizontal track of the robot arm.

[0012] The robotic arm drive motor drives the rivet robotic arm to move along the horizontal track of the robotic arm;

[0013] The rivet gun is mounted on the rivet robot arm;

[0014] The rivet feeding mechanism is located on one side of the riveting platform, and the rivet feeding mechanism is used to automatically feed rivets to the rivet gun;

[0015] The steel strip clamp servo motor, the robot drive motor, the rivet robot, and the rivet feeding mechanism communicate with the controller.

[0016] The aforementioned automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams includes a steel strip clamp lifting mechanism comprising a steel strip clamp lifting rail and a steel strip clamp lifting motor. The steel strip clamp lifting rail is vertically mounted on the steel strip clamp fixing seat. One end of the steel strip positioning clamp is slidably mounted on the steel strip clamp lifting rail. The steel strip clamp lifting motor drives the steel strip positioning clamp to move along the steel strip clamp lifting rail. The steel strip clamp lifting motor communicates with the controller.

[0017] The aforementioned automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams includes several crossbeam positioning mechanisms disposed on the front and rear sides of the automotive crossbeams.

[0018] The aforementioned automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams includes a crossbeam positioning mechanism employing a clamping clamp, which is fixed to the riveting platform via a clamp support.

[0019] The automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams of the present invention enables the steel strip to be automatically inserted into the automotive crossbeam and aligns the riveting holes on both, thereby achieving fully automated riveting of the steel strip and the automotive crossbeam and improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a front view of the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a side view of the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism of the steel strip positioning clamp;

[0025] Figure 6 This is the electrical schematic diagram of the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, its specific embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams, comprising a riveting platform 1, a horizontal rail for steel strip clamps 2, a steel strip clamp fixing seat 3, a servo motor for steel strip clamps 4, a steel strip positioning clamp 5, a horizontal rail for a robotic arm 6, a riveting robotic arm 7, a robotic arm drive motor 8, a rivet gun 9, a rivet feeding mechanism 10, and a controller 11.

[0028] The vehicle crossbeam 100 is horizontally mounted on the riveting platform 1 by a number of crossbeam positioning mechanisms 12. The crossbeam positioning mechanisms are located on the front and rear sides of the vehicle crossbeam 100. The crossbeam positioning mechanism 12 adopts a clamping clamp, which is fixed on the riveting platform 1 by a clamping support 13.

[0029] The horizontal rail 2 of the steel strip clamp is fixed laterally on the riveting platform 1, and the horizontal rail 2 of the steel strip clamp is located on one side of the automobile crossbeam 100; the steel strip clamp fixing seat 3 is slidably set on the horizontal rail 2 of the steel strip clamp; the steel strip clamp servo motor 4 drives the steel strip clamp fixing seat 3 to move along the horizontal rail 2 of the steel strip clamp; one end of the steel strip positioning clamp 5 is set on the clamp fixing seat 3 through the steel strip clamp lifting mechanism 51. The steel strip clamp lifting mechanism 51 includes a steel strip clamp lifting rail 511 and a steel strip clamp lifting motor 512. The steel strip clamp lifting rail 511 is vertically set on the steel strip clamp fixing seat 3. One end of the steel strip positioning clamp 5 is slidably set on the steel strip clamp lifting rail 511. The steel strip clamp lifting motor 512 drives the steel strip positioning clamp 5 to move along the steel strip clamp lifting rail 511.

[0030] When the steel strip clamp fixing seat 3 moves along the horizontal rail 2 of the steel strip clamp towards the vehicle crossbeam 100, it drives the steel strip in the steel strip positioning clamp 5 to be inserted into the vehicle crossbeam 100; the steel strip clamp lifting mechanism 51 is used to adjust the up and down position of the steel strip positioning clamp 5, thereby adjusting the up and down position of the steel strip in the vehicle crossbeam 100.

[0031] The horizontal rail 6 of the robotic arm is fixed laterally on the riveting platform 1, and the horizontal rail 6 of the robotic arm is located behind the automobile crossbeam 100; the rivet robotic arm 7 is slidably mounted on the horizontal rail 6 of the robotic arm, and the robotic arm drive motor 8 drives the rivet robotic arm 7 to move along the horizontal rail 6 of the robotic arm; the rivet gun 9 is mounted on the rivet robotic arm 7; the rivet feeding mechanism 10 is mounted on one side of the riveting platform 1, and the rivet feeding mechanism 10 is used to automatically feed rivets to the rivet gun 9. The rivet feeding mechanism 10 can be a product of the existing technology, which can realize the automatic feeding of rivets to the rivet gun 9 on the rivet robotic arm 7.

[0032] The steel strip clamp servo motor 4, the steel strip clamp lifting motor 512, the robot drive motor 8, the rivet robot 7, and the rivet feeding mechanism 10 communicate with the controller 11 respectively.

[0033] The automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams of the present invention, during processing, involves the operator first horizontally mounting the automotive crossbeam 100 onto the riveting platform 1 via several crossbeam positioning mechanisms 12. Then, a steel strip is installed in a steel strip positioning fixture 5. A controller 11 controls the steel strip fixture servo motor 4 to operate, causing the steel strip positioning fixture 5 to move towards the automotive crossbeam 100 until the steel strip on the steel strip positioning fixture 5 is fully inserted into the automotive crossbeam 100. The controller then adjusts the vertical position of the steel strip positioning fixture 5 via a steel strip fixture lifting mechanism 51. The vertical position of the steel strip within the vehicle crossbeam 100 is adjusted to align it with the riveting holes on the crossbeam 100. Then, the controller 11 controls the robotic arm drive motor 8, the riveting robotic arm 7, and the riveting feeding mechanism 10. Following a pre-set program, the robotic arm drive motor 8 drives the riveting robotic arm 7 to the riveting station. The riveting robotic arm 7 uses the rivet gun 9 to rivet the rivets into the riveting holes on the steel strip and the vehicle crossbeam, continuing until all riveting holes are completed. During the riveting process, the riveting feeding mechanism 10 continuously feeds rivets to the rivet gun 9. After riveting is complete, the controller 11 stops the robotic arm drive motor 8, the riveting robotic arm 7, and the riveting feeding mechanism 10. The operator then opens the steel strip positioning clamp 5, causing the steel strip to detach from it. The controller 11 then controls the steel strip clamp servo motor 4 to operate, moving the steel strip positioning clamp 5 away from the vehicle crossbeam 100 until the steel strip positioning clamp 5 is completely removed from the vehicle crossbeam 100.

[0034] In summary, the automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams of the present invention enables the steel strip to be automatically inserted into the automotive crossbeam and aligns the riveting holes on both, thereby achieving fully automated riveting of the steel strip and the automotive crossbeam and improving work efficiency.

[0035] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any variations or modifications to the above embodiments that are within the spirit and essence of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams, characterized in that, This includes a riveting platform, a horizontal track for the steel strip clamp, a steel strip clamp mounting base, a steel strip clamp servo motor, a steel strip positioning clamp, a horizontal track for the robotic arm, a riveting robotic arm, a robotic arm drive motor, a rivet gun, a rivet feeding mechanism, and a controller, among which: The automobile crossbeam is laterally mounted on the riveting platform via several crossbeam positioning mechanisms; The horizontal rail of the steel strip clamp is fixed laterally to the riveting platform, and the horizontal rail of the steel strip clamp is located on one side of the automobile crossbeam; The steel strip clamp fixing seat is slidably mounted on the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp; The servo motor of the steel strip clamp drives the steel strip clamp fixing seat to move along the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp; One end of the steel strip positioning clamp is mounted on the clamp fixing seat via a steel strip clamp lifting mechanism. When the steel strip clamp fixing seat moves toward the vehicle crossbeam along the horizontal track of the steel strip clamp, it drives the steel strip inside the steel strip positioning clamp to insert into the vehicle crossbeam. The horizontal rail of the robotic arm is fixed laterally to the riveting platform, and the horizontal rail of the robotic arm is located behind the crossbeam of the automobile. The riveting robot arm is slidably mounted on the horizontal track of the robot arm. The robotic arm drive motor drives the rivet robotic arm to move along the horizontal track of the robotic arm; The rivet gun is mounted on the rivet robot arm; The rivet feeding mechanism is located on one side of the riveting platform, and the rivet feeding mechanism is used to automatically feed rivets to the rivet gun; The steel strip clamp servo motor, the robot drive motor, the rivet robot, and the rivet feeding mechanism communicate with the controller.

2. The automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steel strip clamp lifting mechanism includes a steel strip clamp lifting rail and a steel strip clamp lifting motor. The steel strip clamp lifting rail is vertically mounted on the steel strip clamp fixing seat. One end of the steel strip positioning clamp is slidably mounted on the steel strip clamp lifting rail. The steel strip clamp lifting motor drives the steel strip positioning clamp to move along the steel strip clamp lifting rail. The steel strip clamp lifting motor communicates with the controller.

3. The automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned beam positioning mechanisms are respectively located on the front and rear sides of the vehicle beam.

4. An automated riveting fixture for automotive crossbeams according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The beam positioning mechanism uses a clamping clamp, which is fixed to the riveting platform by a clamping clamp support.

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