Device and method for assembling a connector on a light-carrying cable

Abstract

The application relates to a device and a method for assembling connectors on light transmission cables. The device comprises a base, a glue dispensing mechanism arranged on the base and used for carrying the connectors and adding glue into the connectors, an assembling mechanism arranged on the base and used for sleeving and bonding the connectors on the exposed fiber ends of the light transmission cables, and a control module connected with the glue dispensing mechanism and the assembling mechanism and used for coordinately controlling the operation of the glue dispensing mechanism and the assembling mechanism. The device can realize the automatic assembly of the connectors on the light transmission cables, reduce the labor intensity and manufacturing cost required in the assembly process, and improve the assembly efficiency and quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of this invention relate to the field of fiber optic patch cord manufacturing. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for assembling connectors onto optical transmission cables. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic patch cords are primarily used to connect two or more devices that need to communicate, establishing a short-distance, high-speed signal transmission link between them. Due to their high-speed transmission advantages, fiber optic patch cords play a vital role in scenarios such as data centers and enterprise local area networks.

[0003] Fiber optic patch cords mainly consist of optical transmission cables and connectors (such as plugs) located at the ends of the optical transmission cables. During the manufacturing process, operators need to squeeze adhesive into the connectors before fitting and bonding them to the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable. This manual process leads to low efficiency, poor quality, and high labor intensity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve one or more of the technical problems mentioned above, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for assembling connectors onto optical transmission cables, which can realize the automatic assembly of connectors and optical transmission cables, reduce the labor intensity and manufacturing cost required for the assembly process, and improve assembly efficiency and quality.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable is provided, comprising a base; a dispensing mechanism disposed on the base and for carrying the connector and dispensing adhesive into the connector; an assembly mechanism disposed on the base and for fitting and bonding the connector to the exposed fiber end of the optical fiber cable; and a control module connected to the dispensing mechanism and the assembly mechanism and for coordinating and controlling the operation of the dispensing mechanism and the assembly mechanism.

[0006] In one optional embodiment, the dispensing mechanism includes: a loading assembly disposed on the base and used to clamp the connector; a driving assembly disposed on the base and connected to the control module; and an adhesive applicator disposed on the driving assembly and connected to the control module; wherein the driving assembly is used to drive the adhesive applicator to move to the location of the loading assembly and add the adhesive to the connector.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the device further includes a first imaging module disposed on the drive assembly and connected to the control module. The first imaging module is used to photograph the adhesive application component and the clamped connector, so that the control module controls the drive assembly and the adhesive application component to add the adhesive to the connector based on the imaging results of the first imaging module.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes a rack disposed on the base for storing the connector; the dispensing mechanism further includes a first gripping component disposed on the drive component and capable of being driven by the drive component to grip the connector on the rack and place it onto the loading component.

[0009] In one alternative embodiment, the loading assembly includes a dispensing station, a material handling station, and an automatic slide mounted on the base and capable of moving back and forth between the dispensing station and the material handling station, as well as a material clamp mounted on the automatic slide for holding the connector. The automatic slide and the material clamp are controllably connected to the control module. The dispensing station is located on the base and closer to the dispensing mechanism than the material handling station, and the material handling station is located on the base and closer to the assembly mechanism than the dispensing station.

[0010] In one alternative embodiment, the material clamp includes a rotating component disposed on the automatic slide and an automatic gripper disposed on the rotating component. The rotating component can drive the automatic gripper to rotate, so that the connector held by the automatic gripper rotates from a state perpendicular to the optical transmission cable to a state parallel to the optical transmission cable.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the assembly mechanism includes: a power assembly mounted on the base and connected to the control module; and a second gripping assembly mounted on the power assembly and connected to the control module. The power assembly is used to drive the second gripping assembly to the dispensing mechanism under the control of the control module and remove the connector with the adhesive already applied, and then drive the second gripping assembly to mount the connector onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the assembly mechanism further includes a second imaging module disposed on the power assembly and connected to the control module. The second imaging module is used to photograph the connector and the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable, so that the control module can control the power assembly and the second gripping assembly to mount the connector onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable based on the imaging results of the second imaging module.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the device further includes a third imaging module mounted on the base via an imaging bracket and used to photograph the connector at the material handling station, such that the control module controls the assembly mechanism to remove the connector from the material handling station based on the imaging result of the third imaging module.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes a clamping mechanism disposed on the base, which is used to clamp the optical transmission cable when the connector is fitted onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes an adhesive removal mechanism disposed on the base for wiping away residual adhesive at the adhesive outlet of the adhesive-applying component.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, the adhesive removal mechanism includes a support frame, a release pulley rotatably mounted on the support frame for releasing the adhesive removal belt, a recovery pulley rotatably mounted on the support frame for recovering the adhesive removal belt, and a rotation source mounted on the support frame for driving the recovery pulley to rotate, wherein the adhesive removal belt located between the release pulley and the recovery pulley is used to wipe away residual adhesive at the adhesive outlet of the adhesive application component.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable is provided, the method being carried out by an apparatus as described in the first aspect of the invention, and comprising the steps of: adding an adhesive into the connector; and fitting and bonding the connector to the exposed fiber end of the optical fiber cable.

[0018] In the apparatus and method provided above for assembling connectors on optical transmission cables, adhesive can be added to the connector first through a dispensing mechanism, and then the connector with the adhesive added can be assembled and bonded to the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable through an assembly mechanism. This achieves automatic assembly of the connector on the optical transmission cable. This method can effectively reduce the labor intensity and manufacturing cost required in this process, and improve the efficiency and quality of the entire assembly process. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation, and like or corresponding reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention is shown of an apparatus for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable;

[0021] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A portion of the dispensing mechanism of the device shown;

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Another part of the dispensing mechanism of the device shown;

[0023] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The adhesive removal mechanism of the device shown;

[0024] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The assembly mechanism and clamping mechanism of the device shown;

[0025] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Base; 2. Dispensing mechanism; 21. Loading assembly; 211. Automatic slide; 212. Fixture; 2121. Rotating component; 2122. Automatic gripper; 22. Drive assembly; 23. Glue application component; 24. First gripping assembly; 3. Assembly mechanism; 31. Power assembly; 32. Second gripping assembly; 4. Glue removal mechanism; 41. Support frame; 42. Release pulley; 43. Recovering pulley; 44. Glue removal belt; 45. Rotation source; 46. Tensioning wheel assembly; 5. Material rack; 6. Clamping mechanism; 7. First shooting module; 8. Second shooting module; 91. Shooting bracket; 92. Third shooting module; 100. Device; 200. Connector. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0028] This invention provides an apparatus 100 for assembling connectors onto optical transmission cables. This apparatus 100 is an automated device used in the manufacture of fiber optic patch cords. The fiber optic patch cord mainly consists of optical transmission cables and connectors (e.g., plugs) located at the ends of the optical transmission cables. Based on the number of optical transmission cables, the fiber optic patch cord can be classified as a single-core fiber optic patch cord or a multi-core fiber optic patch cord. A single-core fiber optic patch cord includes only one optical transmission cable and a connector located at the end of the optical transmission cable. The number of connectors can be one or two, and when there are two connectors, the two connectors are respectively installed at both ends of the optical transmission cable. A multi-core fiber optic patch cord includes multiple optical transmission cables and an outer sheath covering the multiple optical transmission cables, as well as connectors at the ends of the optical transmission cables. The number of connectors can be one or more. For example, each end of each optical transmission cable in a multi-core fiber optic patch cord can be equipped with a connector. Alternatively, each end of a multi-core fiber optic patch cord can be equipped with a connector, and each connector is connected to all the optical transmission cables at the corresponding end of the multi-core fiber optic patch cord. The device 100 is mainly used to assemble a connector onto the end of an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber patch cord obtained by one or more such assemblies can be a single-core or multi-core optical fiber patch cord. It should also be noted that the exposed fiber end of the optical fiber cable mentioned below refers to the end where the cable sheath has been stripped and the fiber core is exposed.

[0029] Figure 1 An apparatus 100 for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the device 100 includes a base 1. The base 1 can be any structure capable of carrying out the load-bearing task, including but not limited to frame structures and plate structures. The device 100 also includes a dispensing mechanism 2 mounted on the base 1, an assembly mechanism 3 mounted on the base 1, and a control module (not shown) connected to the dispensing mechanism 2 and the assembly mechanism 3 and used to coordinate and control the operation of the dispensing mechanism 2 and the assembly mechanism 3. The dispensing mechanism 2 carries the connector 200 and can add adhesive to the connector 200 under the control of the control module, while the assembly mechanism 3 is used to assemble and bond the connector 200 to the exposed fiber end of the optical fiber cable under the control of the control module.

[0030] In other words, the device 100 can automatically assemble the connector 200 onto the optical fiber cable through the dispensing mechanism 2 and the assembly mechanism 3. Compared with the manual assembly used in the prior art, it can not only effectively reduce the labor intensity and manufacturing cost required for this assembly process, but also improve the efficiency and quality of the entire assembly process.

[0031] In terms of specific implementation, the aforementioned control module of the present invention can be implemented in various suitable ways. For example, the control module can be implemented using a general-purpose processor (“CPU”) or a dedicated processor, or a combination of both. In some scenarios, the control module of the present invention can also be implemented using a programmable logic controller (“PLC”). Therefore, the present invention does not impose any limitations on the specific implementation of the control module, and those skilled in the art can implement it in a reasonable manner as needed based on the teachings of the present invention, and these methods still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] Next, combine Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The dispensing mechanism 2 mentioned above is described exemplarily. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the dispensing mechanism 2 includes a loading assembly 21 mounted on a base 1, a drive assembly 22 mounted on the base 1, and an adhesive applicator 23 mounted on the drive assembly 22 and connected to the control module. When the loading assembly 21 clamps the connector 200, the control module can control the drive assembly 22 to drive the adhesive applicator 23 from its initial position to the location of the loading assembly 21 and add adhesive to the connector 200, and then drive the adhesive applicator 23 back to its initial position. This initial position can be selected as a position away from the loading assembly 21 and to avoid the adhesive applicator 23 interfering with the loading assembly 21 and the assembly mechanism 3.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned glue application component 23 includes a glue gun mounted on the drive assembly 22, and a glue gun driver mounted on the drive assembly 22 and connected to the glue gun. The glue gun driver can be a linear driver, such as a linear motor or a pneumatic cylinder. In use, the glue gun driver drives the glue gun to output glue liquid to complete operations such as glue application or dispensing. The aforementioned drive assembly 22 is mainly used to drive the glue application component 23 back and forth between the initial position and the position of the loading assembly 21, and it is generally selected as a multi-axis drive platform or a robotic arm. Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the loading assembly 21 mainly includes a material clamp 212 for holding the connector 200. This material clamp 212 can be directly fixed to the base 1 or movably mounted on the base 1. As an example, the loading assembly 21 includes a dispensing station on the base 1, a material picking station on the base 1, and an automatic slide 211 on the base 1 that can move back and forth between the dispensing station and the material picking station. The automatic slide 211 is used to carry and mount the aforementioned material clamp 212. Both the automatic slide 211 and the material clamp 212 can be connected to the control module via communication connections such as wires, so that the reciprocating movement of the automatic slide 211 and the material clamp 212 between the dispensing station and the material picking station can be controlled by the control module. The dispensing station is closer to the dispensing mechanism 2 than the material picking station, while the material picking station is closer to the assembly mechanism 3 than the dispensing station. As a result, the automatic slide 211 can carry the material clamp 212 and the connector 200 between the dispensing station and the material picking station, ensuring that both the dispensing mechanism 2 and the assembly mechanism 3 can perform corresponding operations nearby. This effectively reduces the stroke requirements and degrees of freedom (such as the number of axes) of the drive components used in the dispensing mechanism 2 and the assembly mechanism 3. For example, the drive component 22 of the dispensing mechanism 2 can be directly selected as a gantry-type dual-axis drive platform instead of a three-axis drive platform.

[0034] As an example, the automatic slide table 211 mainly includes a slide table body mounted on the base 1 via a linear guide rail and a linear drive mechanism mounted on the base 1. The linear drive mechanism can be a linear motor or cylinder, or other device capable of outputting linear motion. In use, the linear drive mechanism can drive the slide table body to carry the material clamp 212 and connector 200 between the dispensing station and the material handling station.

[0035] Regarding the implementation of the material clamp 212, the material clamp 212 includes at least an automatic gripper 2122, which can be pneumatic or electric depending on actual needs. As a preferred example, in addition to the automatic gripper 2122, the material clamp 212 also includes a rotating component 2121 mounted on the automatic slide 211 and used to support the automatic gripper 2122. The rotating component 2121 can be a drive that can output rotation, such as a rotary cylinder or an electric servo motor, so that the rotating component 2121 can drive the automatic gripper 2122 and the connector 200 it holds to rotate under the control of the control module or autonomous control, and rotate the connector 200 from a state perpendicular to the optical cable to a state parallel to the optical cable. This facilitates the assembly operation of the assembly mechanism 3 and reduces the stroke requirements and degrees of freedom (such as the number of axes) requirements of the drive component 22 in the assembly mechanism 3.

[0036] In practice, the control module can rely on the positional relationship to control the drive assembly 22 and the adhesive applicator 23 to add adhesive to the connector 200. However, this control method lacks automatic error correction functions, leading to occasional dispensing failures in actual manufacturing processes. To improve the success rate of dispensing, the dispensing mechanism 2 may also include a first imaging module 7 mounted on the drive assembly 22 and connected to the control module. The first imaging module 7 is used to photograph the adhesive applicator 23 and the clamped connector 200, so that the control module controls the drive assembly 22 and the adhesive applicator 23 to add adhesive to the connector 200 based on the photographing results of the first imaging module 7. In addition to being mounted on the moving part of the drive assembly 22 and moving synchronously with the adhesive applicator 23, the first imaging module 7 may also be mounted on the stationary part of the drive assembly 22. When the first imaging module 7 is mounted on the moving part of the drive assembly 22, the lens of the first imaging module 7 needs to be pointed at the material clamp 212 to photograph the adhesive applicator 23 and the clamped connector 200 at that location.

[0037] As an example, the device 100 may also include a rack 5 disposed on the base 1 for storing connectors 200. The rack 5 may be any structure capable of holding connectors 200, such as including multiple receiving slots at the bottom capable of accommodating connectors 200 one by one. The dispensing mechanism 2 may also include a first gripping component 24 disposed on the drive assembly 22 for picking up and placing connectors 200. The first gripping component 24 may be a gripper structure suitable for automation, such as an electric gripper or a pneumatic gripper. In use, the control module may control the drive assembly 22 to drive the first gripping component 24 and move it to the location of the rack 5 to grip the connectors 200, and then send the first gripping component 24 and the connectors 200 to the location of the loading assembly 21, so that the first gripping component 24 can place the connectors 200 onto the loading assembly 21.

[0038] As an example, the device 100 also includes a glue removal mechanism 4 mounted on the base 1 for removing residual glue at the glue outlet of the glue application component 23, as detailed in [link to details]. Figure 4The adhesive removal mechanism 4 includes a support frame 41, a release pulley 42 rotatably mounted on the support frame 41 for releasing the adhesive removal belt 44 (e.g., non-woven fabric or cotton cloth), a recovery pulley 43 rotatably mounted on the support frame 41 for recovering the adhesive removal belt 44, and a rotation source 45 mounted on the support frame 41 for driving the recovery pulley 43 to rotate. After each application of adhesive, the adhesive removal belt 44 located between the release pulley 42 and the recovery pulley 43 can be used to wipe away residual adhesive at the dispensing port of the adhesive application component 23, thereby improving the accuracy of the adhesive application component 23 in performing the next dispensing operation. After each application of adhesive, the drive assembly 22 can drive the adhesive application component 23 to move onto the adhesive removal belt 44 and rub it to remove residual adhesive. To reduce the range of motion of the adhesive application component 23 and the drive stroke of the drive assembly 22, the initial position of the adhesive application component 23 is preferably the position where the adhesive removal belt 44 is located. After each glue removal, the rotation source 45 is activated, and the release pulley 42, the recovery pulley 43, and the glue removal belt 44 can rotate a certain distance under the drive of the rotation source 45. This allows the used portion of the glue removal belt 44 located between the release pulley 42 and the recovery pulley 43 to be replaced with an unused portion. The rotation source 45 is selected as a driver capable of outputting rotation, such as an electric motor, a geared motor, or a hydraulic motor.

[0039] As an example, the aforementioned adhesive removal mechanism 4 may further include a tensioning pulley assembly 46 mounted on the support frame 41 for tensioning the adhesive removal belt 44 between the release pulley 42 and the recovery pulley 43. The tensioning pulley assembly 46 typically consists of two or three driven pulleys, used to tension the adhesive removal belt 44 located between the release pulley 42 and the recovery pulley 43, ensuring better adhesive removal performance of the adhesive removal belt 44. If necessary, the tensioning pulley assembly 46 may also include an adjustment mechanism for supporting each driven pulley and adjusting the spacing between them; this adjustment mechanism can be either an automatic adjustment mechanism or a manual adjustment structure. It should be noted that when the adhesive removal mechanism 4 has a tensioning pulley assembly 46, the adhesive application component 23 should avoid the location of the tensioning pulley assembly 46 and complete the adhesive removal on the adhesive removal belt 44. For example, the portion of the adhesive removal belt 44 located between the tensioning pulley assembly 46 and the release pulley 42 can be selected for removing adhesive from the adhesive application component 23.

[0040] Next, combine Figure 1 and Figure 5 The assembly mechanism 3 mentioned above will be described by way of example. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, the assembly mechanism 3 includes a power assembly 31 mounted on the base 1 and connected to the control module. The power assembly 31 can be a multi-axis drive platform or a robotic arm. The assembly mechanism 3 also includes a second gripping assembly 32 mounted on the power assembly 31 and connected to the control module. The second gripping assembly 32 can be a gripper suitable for automated control, such as an electric gripper or a pneumatic gripper. In use, the power assembly 31, under the control of the control module, drives the second gripping assembly 32 to the dispensing mechanism 2 and removes the connector 200 with added adhesive. Then, the power assembly 31 drives the second gripping assembly 32 to mount the connector 200 onto the exposed fiber end of the optical fiber cable, ensuring that the connector 200 can be smoothly bonded to the optical fiber cable.

[0041] In practice, the control module can rely on positional relationships to control the power assembly 31 and the second gripping assembly 32 to mount the connector 200 onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable. However, this control method lacks automatic error correction functions, leading to occasional assembly failures during actual manufacturing. To improve the success rate of this mounting, the assembly mechanism 3 may also include a second imaging module 8 mounted on the power assembly 31 and connected to the control module. The second imaging module 8 is used to photograph the connector 200 and the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable. Specifically, the second imaging module 8 is preferably mounted on the moving part of the power assembly 31 and moves synchronously with the second gripping assembly 32 to ensure that the second imaging module can photograph the connector 200 and the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable when the connector 200 is mounted onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable. This allows the control module to accurately control the power assembly 31 and the second gripping assembly 32 to mount the connector 200 onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable based on the imaging results of the second imaging module 8, thereby improving the success rate of this mounting.

[0042] Similarly, in order to improve the success rate of the assembly mechanism 3 in taking the connector 200 from the picking station, the device 100 may also include a third shooting module 92 mounted on the base 1 via a shooting bracket 91 and used to shoot the connector 200 at the picking station, so that the control module accurately controls the assembly mechanism 3 to take the connector 200 from the picking station according to the shooting results of the third shooting module 92, thereby improving the success rate of picking.

[0043] As an optional example, the device 100 may also include a clamping mechanism 6 mounted on the base 1. The clamping mechanism 6 may be an automatic clamp such as a clamping cylinder. When the connector 200 is fitted onto the exposed fiber end of the optical cable, the clamping mechanism 6 clamps the optical cable and reduces the possibility of the optical cable wobbling, ensuring that the power assembly 31 and the second gripping assembly 32 can accurately fit the connector 200 onto the exposed fiber end of the optical cable, thereby further improving the success rate of this fitting.

[0044] Figure 6A flowchart illustrating a method for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 As shown, the method is implemented by the aforementioned apparatus 100 and includes: step S601, adding adhesive to the connector; and step S602, fitting and bonding the connector to the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable. When implementing this method, the aforementioned apparatus 100 can achieve automatic assembly of the connector and the optical transmission cable, reduce the labor intensity and manufacturing costs required in the assembly process, and improve the efficiency and quality of the assembly process.

[0045] In the above description of this application, in addition to selecting the specific structure shown in the corresponding figures, the multi-axis drive platform can also be referred to in the following book: Multi-axis System Dynamics Modeling and Control, by Ju Hehua, published by Beijing Institute of Technology. Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "fixed," "installed," "connected," or "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, the term "linked" can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or it can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Therefore, unless otherwise explicitly limited in this application, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] Based on the above description of this application, those skilled in the art will also understand that the terms used, such as "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings of this application. They are only for the purpose of facilitating the explanation of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not explicitly or implicitly suggest that the device or element involved must have the specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above-mentioned orientation or positional relationship terms cannot be understood or interpreted as a limitation on the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, the terms "first" or "second," etc., used in this application to refer to numbers or ordinal numbers are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as explicitly or implicitly indicating relative importance or specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0048] While numerous embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Many modifications, alterations, and alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in the practice of the invention. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of protection of the invention and therefore cover equivalents or alternatives within the scope of these claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assembling a connector onto an optical fiber cable, characterized in that, include: Base; A dispensing mechanism is mounted on the base and is used to support the connector and dispense adhesive into the connector; An assembly mechanism is provided on the base and is used to mount and bond the connector to the exposed fiber end of the optical cable; as well as A control module, which is connected to the dispensing mechanism and the assembly mechanism, and is used to coordinate and control the operation of the dispensing mechanism and the assembly mechanism; The assembly mechanism includes: A power unit, mounted on the base and connected to the control module; and The second grasping component is mounted on the power component and connected to the control module; The power component is used to drive the second gripping component to the dispensing mechanism under the control of the control module and take away the connector that has been filled with adhesive, and then drive the second gripping component to put the connector onto the exposed fiber end of the optical cable. The assembly mechanism further includes a second imaging module disposed on the power component and connected to the control module. The second imaging module is used to photograph the exposed fiber end of the connector and the optical transmission cable, so that the control module can control the power component and the second gripping component to mount the connector onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable based on the imaging result of the second imaging module. The second imaging module is disposed on the movable part of the power component and moves synchronously with the second gripping component to ensure that the second imaging module can photograph the connector and the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable when the connector is mounted onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dispensing mechanism includes: A loading assembly, which is disposed on the base and is used to clamp the connector; A drive assembly, mounted on the base and connected to the control module; and An adhesive application component is mounted on the drive assembly and connected to the control module; The drive component is used to drive the adhesive application component to the location of the loading component and add the adhesive to the connector.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a first imaging module disposed on the drive assembly and connected to the control module. The first imaging module is used to photograph the adhesive application component and the clamped connector, so that the control module controls the drive assembly and the adhesive application component to add the adhesive to the connector according to the imaging result of the first imaging module.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device further includes a material rack disposed on the base and used to store the connector; the dispensing mechanism further includes a first gripping component disposed on the drive component and driven by the drive component to grip the connector on the material rack and place it on the loading component.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The loading assembly includes a dispensing station, a material picking station, and an automatic slide table mounted on the base and capable of moving back and forth between the dispensing station and the material picking station, as well as a material clamp mounted on the automatic slide table for holding the connector. The automatic slide table and the material clamp are controllably connected to the control module. The dispensing station is located on the base and is closer to the dispensing mechanism than the material picking station, and the material picking station is located on the base and is closer to the assembly mechanism than the dispensing station.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The material clamp includes a rotating component on the automatic slide and an automatic gripper on the rotating component. The rotating component can drive the automatic gripper to rotate, so that the connector held by the automatic gripper rotates from a state perpendicular to the optical transmission cable to a state parallel to the optical transmission cable.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The device further includes a third imaging module mounted on the base via an imaging bracket and used to photograph the connector at the material handling station, so that the control module controls the assembly mechanism to remove the connector from the material handling station based on the imaging result of the third imaging module.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It also includes a clamping mechanism provided on the base, which is used to clamp the optical transmission cable when the connector is fitted onto the exposed fiber end of the optical transmission cable.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device also includes a glue removal mechanism disposed on the base for wiping away residual glue at the glue outlet of the glue-applying component.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The adhesive removal mechanism includes a support frame, a release pulley rotatably mounted on the support frame for releasing the adhesive removal belt, a recovery pulley rotatably mounted on the support frame for recovering the adhesive removal belt, and a rotation source mounted on the support frame for driving the recovery pulley to rotate, wherein the adhesive removal belt located between the release pulley and the recovery pulley is used to wipe away residual adhesive at the adhesive outlet of the adhesive coating component.

11. A method for assembling a connector onto an optical transmission cable, characterized in that, The method is implemented by the apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 and includes the following steps: Add adhesive to the connector; and The connector is fitted and glued to the exposed fiber end of the optical cable.

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