Air switch automatic assembly equipment and air switch housing assembly method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic assembly device for an air switch and a method for assembling an air switch housing. The assembly device includes: a frame; a feeding device located at the head end of the conveying device for conveying the air switch housing into the device; a conveying device for conveying the air switch housing through each station in sequence; a nut installation station for simultaneously installing nuts into a plurality of wiring terminal slots of the air switch housing; a cap installation station for simultaneously placing plastic caps into the plurality of wiring terminal slots of the air switch with nuts installed; a cap pressing station located behind the cap installation station, including a cap pressing device for pressing down the plurality of plastic films placed in the wiring terminal slots and clamping them in the slots; a blanking station for transferring the processed air switch housing to a blanking device; and a blanking device located at the tail end of the conveying device for outputting the air switch housing. The present invention can achieve the automatic assembly of the air switch housing and improve the production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device for air switches, specifically an automatic assembly device for air switches. Background Art

[0002] An air switch includes a plastic housing and internal components. The two ends of the plastic housing are terminal ends. During the wiring process, nuts and bolts are required to cooperate to connect the wires to the terminal ends. To facilitate wiring, the structure of the existing air switch is that a hexagonal hole-shaped slot is provided at the terminal end position. A hexagonal column-shaped clamping plate is provided on the nut. The nut is placed in the slot, and a hexagonal column-shaped plastic cap is provided in the slot to prevent the nut from falling out. A vertical convex rib is provided on one side of the plastic cap, and an inverted triangular locking hook is provided at the lower end of the convex rib. A groove is provided on the corresponding side of the slot, and a locking groove is provided at the lower end of the groove. The convex rib is located in the groove, and the locking hook is located in the locking groove, thereby preventing the plastic cap from falling out. Due to the above structure of the air switch, when assembling the air switch, it is necessary to first install the nut and the plastic cap on the plastic housing of the air switch. The existing production method is to assemble manually or semi-automatically. Since there are multiple terminal ends at both ends of the air switch, the nut and the plastic cap have directions during the installation process, resulting in low efficiency, easy errors, and high labor intensity of the existing assembly production method. Moreover, due to the existence of the convex rib and the locking hook, the installation of the plastic cap is difficult. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device that can fully automatically install the nut and the plastic cap on the plastic housing of the air switch to improve the production efficiency of the air switch housing assembly, avoid installation errors, and greatly reduce the labor intensity of personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an automatic assembly device for air switches to solve the problems of low production efficiency and high labor intensity in the existing air switch assembly.

[0004] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling an air switch housing to solve the problems of low production efficiency and easy errors in the existing air switch assembly.

[0005] One of the purposes of the present invention is achieved as follows: An automatic assembly device for air switches includes the following parts.

[0006] A frame for installing and supporting each device.

[0007] A feeding device located at the head end of the conveying device for conveying the air switch housing into the device.

[0008] A conveying device for conveying the air switch housing through each station in sequence.

[0009] The nut installation station includes a nut feeding device, a nut transfer and buffer device, and a nut installation device. The nut installation device includes a first three-axis slide and a first grasping actuator, and is used to simultaneously install nuts into the multiple terminal card slots of the air switch housing.

[0010] The cap installation station is located behind the nut installation station and includes a plastic cap feeding device, a plastic cap transfer and buffer device, and a plastic cap installation device. The plastic cap installation device includes a second three-axis slide. A rotating frame that rotates around the longitudinal axis is arranged on the second three-axis slide. A swinging frame that rotates around the transverse axis is arranged on the rotating frame. A second grasping actuator is arranged on the swinging frame and is used to simultaneously place plastic caps into the multiple terminal card slots of the air switch with nuts installed.

[0011] The cap pressing station is located behind the cap installation station and includes a cap pressing device, which is used to press down and snap multiple plastic caps placed in the terminal card slots into the slots.

[0012] The blanking station is used to transfer the processed air switch housing to the blanking device.

[0013] And the blanking device is located at the end of the conveying device and is used to output the air switch housing.

[0014] Furthermore, the nut feeding device is a vibrating bowl feeder, which is used to output nuts in a directional manner to the nut transfer and buffer device. The nut transfer and buffer device includes a nut arrangement channel. The nuts output in a directional manner by the vibrating bowl feeder are arranged in sequence in the nut arrangement channel. A first transfer platform is provided at the end of the nut arrangement channel. A first pushing mechanism is arranged on one side of the first transfer platform. A first buffer guide rail is arranged on the other side of the first transfer platform. A first buffer sliding table is arranged on the first buffer guide rail. A plurality of first material receiving grooves are arranged along the length direction of the first buffer guide rail on the first buffer sliding table. The reciprocating movement of the first pushing mechanism cooperates with the movement of the first buffer sliding table along the first buffer guide rail to push multiple nuts into the first material receiving grooves in sequence.

[0015] Further, the plastic cap feeding device is a vibrating disk feeder, which is used to output plastic caps in a directional manner to the plastic cap transfer and buffer device; the plastic cap transfer and buffer device includes a plastic cap arrangement channel. The plastic caps output directionally by the vibrating disk feeder are arranged in sequence in the plastic cap arrangement channel. At the end of the plastic cap arrangement channel, there is a second transfer platform. On one side of the second transfer platform, there is a second pushing mechanism. On the other side of the second transfer platform, there is a second buffer guide rail. On the second buffer guide rail, there is a second buffer sliding table. Along the length direction of the second buffer guide rail on the second buffer sliding table, there are a plurality of second material receiving grooves. The reciprocating movement of the second pushing mechanism cooperates with the movement of the second buffer sliding table along the second buffer guide rail to push a plurality of nuts into the second material receiving grooves in sequence.

[0016] Further, there is one or two cap pressing devices. The cap pressing device includes lifting mechanisms arranged on both sides of the conveying device. At the tops of the two lifting mechanisms, there is a pressing plate. The pressing plate spans above the conveying device. On the pressing plate, there are several pressing heads.

[0017] Further, the conveying device includes two parallel conveyor belts. On both sides of the conveying device, there are baffles. The distance between the two baffles is slightly larger than the width of the air switch housing.

[0018] Further, the first grasping execution mechanism / second grasping execution mechanism is a jaw or a suction cup.

[0019] Further, it also includes a plug installation station, which is used to install a plastic plug into the card slot of the air switch housing.

[0020] Further, a positioning device is arranged at each station. The positioning device includes an X-direction positioning mechanism and a Y-direction positioning mechanism. The X-direction positioning mechanism / Y-direction positioning mechanism includes a moving mechanism and a stop. The moving mechanism drives the stop to move a certain distance along the X-direction / Y-direction to limit the position of the air switch housing.

[0021] The moving mechanism is preferably a cylinder. An adjusting nut is arranged on the stop, which is used to adjust the position of the air switch housing after positioning.

[0022] Further, the feeding direction of the feeding device is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying device. A steering device is arranged between the feeding device and the conveying device.

[0023] Further, a nut detection sensor is arranged at the nut installation station, which is used to detect whether the nut is installed in place.

[0024] Further, an accommodation groove for accommodating the convex ridges and locking hooks on the plastic cap is provided inside the second material receiving groove, and a detection sensor is arranged at the accommodation groove for detecting whether the orientation of the plastic cap entering the second material receiving groove is correct.

[0025] The second object of the present invention is achieved as follows: An air switch housing assembly method, implemented based on the above-mentioned air switch automatic assembly equipment, includes the following steps.

[0026] a. The air switch housing is conveyed into the air switch automatic assembly equipment through the feeding device, and the conveying device drives the air switch housing to move.

[0027] b. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the nut installation station. The first grasping actuator grabs a plurality of nuts from the nut transfer buffer device, installs the nuts into the plurality of terminal card slots at one end of the air switch housing simultaneously, and then the first grasping actuator grabs a plurality of nuts from the nut transfer buffer device again and installs the nuts into the plurality of terminal card slots at the other end of the air switch housing simultaneously.

[0028] c. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the cap installation station. The second grasping actuator grabs a plurality of plastic caps from the plastic cap transfer buffer device. The second grasping actuator moves above the terminal card slot at one end of the air switch housing. The convex ridge side of the plastic cap corresponds to the groove side of the terminal card slot. After the swing frame swings a certain angle, the second grasping actuator moves downward, so that the side of the plastic cap with the locking hook is placed in the terminal card slot obliquely with one side higher than the other side, and the locking hook enters the groove. Then the second grasping actuator grabs a plurality of plastic caps from the plastic cap transfer buffer device again. The rotating frame rotates 180°. The convex ridge side of the plastic cap corresponds to the groove side of the terminal card slot. The second grasping actuator moves above the terminal card slot at the other end of the air switch housing. After the swing frame swings a certain angle, the second grasping actuator moves downward, so that the side of the plastic cap with the locking hook is placed in the terminal card slot obliquely with one side higher than the other side, and the locking hook enters the groove.

[0029] d. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the cap pressing station. The cap pressing station presses the plastic cap downward. During the downward pressing process, the locking hook moves downward along the groove until it enters the locking groove at the lower end of the groove.

[0030] e. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the blanking station, and the blanking device transfers the assembled air switch housing onto the blanking device.

[0031] f. The assembled air switch housing is output by the blanking device.

[0032] Further, in step b, a sufficient amount of nuts are pre-added to the nut feeding device, and the nut feeding device outputs the nuts in a directional manner. The directionally output nuts are arranged and advanced in sequence in the nut arrangement channel. The first buffer sliding table moves to align a first material receiving groove with the first transfer platform, and the nuts entering the first transfer platform are pushed into this first material receiving groove. The first buffer sliding table moves to align another first material receiving groove with the first transfer platform, and the nuts entering the first transfer platform are pushed into this first material receiving groove. This is repeated until there are nuts in all the first material receiving grooves of the first buffer sliding table. The nut installation device simultaneously picks up multiple nuts on the first buffer sliding table for installation.

[0033] Further, in step c, a sufficient amount of plastic caps are pre-added to the plastic cap feeding device, and the plastic cap feeding device outputs the plastic caps in a directional manner. The directionally output plastic caps are arranged and advanced in sequence in the plastic cap arrangement channel. The second buffer sliding table moves to align a second material receiving groove with the second transfer platform, and the plastic caps entering the second transfer platform are pushed into this second material receiving groove. The second buffer sliding table moves to align another second material receiving groove with the second transfer platform, and the plastic caps entering the second transfer platform are pushed into this second material receiving groove. This is repeated until there are plastic caps in all the second material receiving grooves of the second buffer sliding table. The plastic cap installation device simultaneously picks up multiple plastic caps on the second buffer sliding table for installation.

[0034] Further, it also includes a plug installation process, and the plug installation process can be located at any position on the conveying device.

[0035] The present invention can achieve the automatic assembly of the air switch housing, especially the automatic installation of nuts and plastic caps with special structures in the wiring card slots at both ends of the air switch housing. The air switch housing is driven by the conveying device to pass through each station in sequence, and nut installation, plastic cap installation, and cap pressing operations are performed in sequence. Since there are multiple wiring terminal card slots at both ends of the air switch, installing multiple nuts or plastic caps at one time can greatly improve the processing efficiency. The transfer and buffer device can prepare the required number of nuts or plastic caps for the installation device, and the arrangement orientation and special structure orientation of the nuts / plastic caps meet the installation requirements, facilitating the synchronous installation of multiple nuts or plastic caps.

[0036] At the same time, in addition to being able to move in the X, Y, and Z directions, the plastic cap installation device can also achieve the rotation of the actuator around the vertical axis and the swing around the horizontal axis, so as to be able to place plastic caps with different direction requirements at both ends of the air switch housing, and the inclined plastic caps can be easily installed in the wiring terminal card slots under the pressing action of the subsequent cap pressing device. Description of the Drawings

[0037] Figure 1It is the structural diagram of the air switch automatic assembly equipment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 It is the structural diagram of the air switch housing and the nut plastic cap of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 It is the schematic diagram of the plastic cap being placed obliquely in the card slot of the air switch housing at the cap loading station of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4 It is the schematic diagram of pressing the plastic cap into the card slot of the air switch housing of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 It is the structural diagram of the nut loading station of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 6 It is the structural diagram of the cap loading station and the cap pressing station of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 7 It is the structural diagram of the plastic cap installation device of the present invention.

[0044] In the figure: 1. Frame; 2. Feeding device; 3. Steering device; 4. Conveying device; 5. Unloading device; 6. Nut loading station; 7. Plug loading station; 8. Cap loading station; 9. Cap pressing station; 10. Unloading station; 11. Air switch housing; 12. Nut; 13. Plastic cap; 6-1. First three-axis slide; 6-2. First grasping actuator; 6-3. Nut feeding device; 6-4. Nut arrangement channel; 6-5. First transfer platform; 6-6. First pushing mechanism; 6-7. First buffer guide rail; 6-8. First buffer sliding material table; 6-9. First material receiving groove; 8-1. Second three-axis slide; 8-2. Rotary frame; 8-3. Swing frame; 8-4. Second grasping actuator; 8-5. Plastic cap feeding device; 8-6. Plastic cap arrangement channel; 8-7. Second transfer platform; 8-8. Second buffer guide rail; 8-9. Second buffer sliding material table; 8-10. Second material receiving groove; 8-11. Second pushing mechanism; 9-1. Lifting mechanism; 9-2. Pressing plate; 11-1. Card slot; 11-2. Groove; 11-3. Locking groove; 13-1. Convex rib; 13-2. Locking hook. Specific embodiments

[0045] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] As Figure 1 shown, the air switch automatic assembly equipment of the present invention includes a frame 1, a feeding device 2, a conveying device 4, and an unloading device 5. Along the conveying direction of the conveying device 4 on the frame 1, a nut loading station 6, a cap loading station 8, and a cap pressing station 9 are sequentially arranged.

[0047] AsFigure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in Figure 2 , Figure 3 , and Figure 4 , multiple terminals for wiring are respectively provided at both ends of the air switch housing 11, and nuts 12 are pre-installed at the terminals to facilitate later wiring with bolts. The automatic assembly equipment for the air switch of the present invention is used to install the nut 12 and the plastic cap 13 in the card slot 11-1 of the air switch housing 11. When installing the plastic cap 13, first place the plastic cap 13 obliquely at the card slot 11-1, so that the locking hook 13-2 inside the plastic cap 13 enters the upper part of the groove 11-2 inside the card slot 11-1, and the lower edge of the outside of the plastic cap 13 overlaps on the outside of the inner cavity of the card slot 11-1. Then, press the plastic cap 13 downward with an external force. After the plastic cap 13 undergoes a certain elastic deformation, it is completely pressed into the card slot 11-1. Its convex rib 13-1 is located in the groove 11-2 of the card slot 11-1, and its locking hook 13-2 is locked into the locking slot 11-3 of the card slot 11-1, thereby fixing the plastic cap 13 and the nut 12 in the card slot 11-1.

[0048] In the automatic assembly equipment for the air switch of the present invention, a horizontal conveying device 4 runs through the entire internal part of the equipment. The feeding device 2 is located at the head end of the conveying device 4. The air switch housing 11 is placed on the feeding device 2 manually or by equipment, and the feeding device 2 conveys the air switch housing 11 into the equipment. After the air switch housing 11 enters the conveying device 4, the conveying device 4 conveys the air switch housing 11 through each working station in sequence. First, it passes through the nut installation station 6, which includes a nut feeding device 6-3, a nut transfer buffer device, and a nut installation device. The nut installation device includes a first three-axis slide 6-1 and a first grasping execution mechanism 6-2, which are used to simultaneously install the nuts 12 into the multiple wiring terminal card slots 11-1 of the air switch housing 11. Then, it passes through the cap installation station 8, which includes a plastic cap feeding device 8-5, a plastic cap transfer buffer device, and a plastic cap installation device. The plastic cap installation device includes a second three-axis slide 8-1. A rotating frame 8-2 that rotates around the longitudinal axis is arranged on the second three-axis slide 8-1. A swinging frame 8-3 that rotates around the transverse axis is arranged on the rotating frame 8-2. A second grasping execution mechanism 8-4 is arranged on the swinging frame 8-3, which is used to simultaneously place the plastic caps 13 into the multiple wiring terminal card slots 11-1 of the air switch installed with the nuts 12. Then, it passes through the cap pressing station 9, and the cap pressing device presses down the multiple plastic films placed in the wiring terminal card slots 11-1 and snaps them into the card slots 11-1. Finally, it passes through the blanking station 10, and the blanking station 10 transfers the processed air switch housing 11 to the blanking device 5. The blanking device 5 is located at the tail end of the conveying device 4 and is used to output the air switch housing 11 out of the equipment.

[0049] The feeding device 2 is specifically a feeding conveyor belt, and its end extends outside the equipment to facilitate the placement of the air switch housing 11. The conveying direction of the feeding device 2 can be the same as that of the conveying device 4. In order to reduce the total length of the equipment, in this specific embodiment, the conveying direction of the feeding device 2 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying device 4. At the same time, a steering device 3 is provided between the feeding device 2 and the conveying device 4, and the conversion of the conveying direction of the air switch housing 11 is realized through the steering device 3. The steering device 3 is specifically located at the end of the feeding conveyor belt. The steering device 3 includes a number of rollers, and the axial direction of the rollers is parallel to the conveying direction of the feeding conveyor belt. When the air switch housing 11 moves to the end of the feeding device 2, the air switch housing 11 is output to the conveying device 4 on one side through the rotation of the rollers.

[0050] The conveying device 4 includes two parallel conveyor belts. Both sides of the lower end surface of the air switch housing 11 are in contact with the upper surfaces of the two conveyor belts at the same time. The two conveyor belts move synchronously to drive the air switch housing 11 to move along the length direction of the conveyor belt. There is a certain space between the two conveyor belts for installing auxiliary devices such as sensors and positioning devices. Baffles are provided on both sides of the conveying device 4, and the distance between the two baffles is slightly larger than the width of the air switch housing 11. The two baffles limit the air switch housing 11 to move only along the conveying device 4.

[0051] As Figure 5 shown, the nut installation station 6 includes a nut feeding device 6-3, a nut transfer and buffer device, and a nut installation device.

[0052] Among them, the nut feeding device 6-3 is a vibrating bowl feeder. The vibrating bowl feeder is a prior art and can be customized according to needs. The nuts 12 can be output in the same posture through vibration.

[0053] The nut transfer and buffer device includes a nut arranging channel 6-4, a first transfer platform 6-5, a first pushing mechanism 6-6, and a first buffer sliding table 6-8. The nut arranging channel 6-4 connects the vibrating bowl feeder and the first transfer platform 6-5. The nuts 12 output by the vibrating bowl feeder are arranged in sequence in the nut arranging channel 6-4. The first transfer platform 6-5 is located at the end of the nut arranging channel 6-4. The first transfer platform 6-5 can only accommodate one nut 12, so only one nut 12 can be output from the nut arranging channel 6-4 each time.

[0054] The first material pushing mechanism 6-6 and the first buffer sliding material table 6-8 are respectively located on both sides of the first transfer platform 6-5. The first buffer sliding material table 6-8 is installed on the first buffer guide rail 6-7. A plurality of first material receiving grooves 6-9 are arranged along the length direction of the first buffer guide rail 6-7 on the first buffer sliding material table 6-8. When the first buffer sliding material table 6-8 moves along the first buffer guide rail 6-7, different first material receiving grooves 6-9 can be made to face the first transfer platform 6-5. A sensor for detecting whether there is a nut 12 is arranged on the first transfer platform 6-5. When the first material receiving groove 6-9 faces the first transfer platform 6-5 and the sensor detects that there is a nut 12 on the first transfer platform 6-5, the nut 12 is pushed into the first material receiving groove 6-9 by the first material pushing mechanism 6-6. The reciprocating movement of the first material pushing mechanism 6-6 and the movement of the first buffer sliding material table 6-8 along the first buffer guide rail 6-7 are used to sequentially push a plurality of nuts 12 into the first material receiving grooves 6-9, realizing the buffering and installation preparation of the nuts 12.

[0055] The first material pushing mechanism 6-6 is specifically a telescopic cylinder.

[0056] A sensor is arranged in the first material receiving groove 6-9 to detect whether there is a nut 12 in the material receiving groove.

[0057] The nut installation device is located above the nut installation station 6 and includes a first three-axis slide 6-1 and a first grasping execution mechanism 6-2. The first three-axis slide 6-1 can realize the movement of the first grasping execution mechanism 6-2 in the X, Y, and Z directions. The first grasping execution mechanism 6-2 can be a jaw, a suction cup, an electromagnet, etc., as long as it can realize the picking up of the nut 12. The first grasping execution mechanism 6-2 picks up the nuts 12 in a plurality of first material receiving grooves 6-9 on the first buffer sliding material table 6-8 together, and then moves to above the wiring terminal slot 11-1 of the air switch housing 11 staying at the nut installation station 6. The first grasping execution mechanism 6-2 moves down to install the nut 12 in the slot 11-1.

[0058] As Figure 6 shown, the cap installation station 8 includes a plastic cap feeding device 8-5, a plastic cap transfer and buffer device, and a plastic cap installation device.

[0059] Among them, the plastic cap feeding device 8-5 is a vibrating bowl feeder. The vibrating bowl feeder is a prior art and can be customized according to needs. Through vibration, the plastic caps 13 can be output in the same posture.

[0060] The plastic cap transfer and buffer device includes a plastic cap alignment channel 8-6, a second transfer platform 8-7, a second pushing mechanism 8-11, and a second buffer sliding table 8-9. The plastic cap alignment channel 8-6 communicates with the vibratory bowl feeder and the second transfer platform 8-7. The plastic caps 13 output by the vibratory bowl feeder are arranged in sequence within the plastic cap alignment channel 8-6, and the ridges 13-1 of all the plastic caps 13 face the same side of the channel. The second transfer platform 8-7 is located at the end of the plastic cap alignment channel 8-6. The second transfer platform 8-7 can only accommodate one plastic cap 13, so only one plastic cap 13 can be output from the plastic cap alignment channel 8-6 each time.

[0061] The second pushing mechanism 8-11 and the second buffer sliding table 8-9 are respectively located on both sides of the second transfer platform 8-7. Specifically, the second buffer sliding table 8-9 is located on the side where the plastic cap 13 has the ridge 13-1, while the second pushing mechanism 8-11 is located on the opposite side. The second buffer sliding table 8-9 is installed on the second buffer guide rail 8-8. A plurality of second material receiving grooves 8-10 are arranged along the length direction of the second buffer guide rail 8-8 on the second buffer sliding table 8-9. When the second buffer sliding table 8-9 moves along the second buffer guide rail 8-8, different second material receiving grooves 8-10 can be made to face the second transfer platform 8-7. A sensor for detecting whether there is a plastic cap 13 is provided on the second transfer platform 8-7. When the second material receiving groove 8-10 faces the second transfer platform 8-7 and the sensor detects that there is a plastic cap 13 on the second transfer platform 8-7, the plastic cap 13 is pushed into the second material receiving groove 8-10 by the second pushing mechanism 8-11. The reciprocating movement of the second pushing mechanism 8-11 cooperates with the movement of the second buffer sliding table 8-9 along the second buffer guide rail 8-8 to push a plurality of plastic caps 13 into the second material receiving grooves 8-10 in sequence, realizing the buffering and installation preparation of the plastic caps 13.

[0062] Among them, the outer opening of the second material receiving groove 8-10 enables the plastic cap 13 to enter. A receiving groove is provided inside the second material receiving groove 8-10 for receiving the ridge 13-1 and the locking hook 13-2 of the plastic cap 13. A sensor is provided within the second material receiving groove 8-10. Specifically, the sensor is located at the receiving groove to detect whether there is a plastic cap 13 within the second material receiving groove 8-10 and whether the orientation of the plastic cap 13 is correct.

[0063] Such as Figure 6 、 Figure 7As shown in the figure, the plastic cap mounting device is located above the cap mounting station 8 and includes a second three-axis slide 8-1, a rotating frame 8-2, a swinging frame 8-3, and a second grasping actuator 8-4. A rotating motor (not shown in the figure) is provided on the second three-axis slide 8-1, and the rotating frame 8-2 is mounted on the rotating shaft of the rotating motor. Arms extending downward are provided at both ends of the rotating frame 8-2, and a swinging motor and a swinging frame 8-3 are provided between the two arms. The swinging of the swinging frame 8-3 is driven by the swinging motor, and a plurality of second grasping actuators are arranged side by side on the swinging frame 8-3.

[0064] The second three-axis slide 8-1 can realize the movement of the second grasping actuator 8-4 in the XYZ three directions. The second grasping actuator 8-4 can be a jaw, a suction cup, etc., as long as it can pick up the plastic cap 13. The second grasping actuator 8-4 picks up the plastic caps 13 in multiple second material receiving grooves 8-10 on the second buffer sliding material table 8-9 together. The rotating frame 8-2 can realize the rotation of the second grasping actuator 8-4 around the vertical axis, and the swinging frame 8-3 can realize the swinging of the second grasping actuator 8-4 around the horizontal axis, so that the plastic cap 13 picked up by the second grasping actuator 8-4 can not only be translated and moved straight up and down, but also be tilted and the direction of the convex rib 13-1 can be reversed.

[0065] Since the convex ribs 13-1 of the output plastic caps 13 are all on the same side, while the directions of the grooves 11-2 on the card slots 11-1 at both ends of the air switch housing are opposite. Through the structure of the above plastic cap mounting device, the plastic cap 13 can be first installed on one end of the air switch housing. When installing the plastic cap 13 on the other end, first reverse the direction of the plastic cap 13, and then place it in the card slot 11-1, so as to realize the installation of the plastic caps 13 in two opposite directions through one plastic cap mounting device.

[0066] Meanwhile, since the plastic cap 13 is provided with a protruding locking hook 13-2, when the plastic cap 13 is forcibly pressed downward, the offset of the plastic cap 13 will cause the lower contour of the plastic cap 13 not to coincide with the groove of the card slot 11-1, making it impossible to install the plastic cap 13 in place and may cause damage to the plastic cap 13 or the air switch housing 11. Therefore, in the cap loading station 8 of the present invention, the plastic cap 13 is only placed at the card slot 11-1, and the plastic cap 13 is placed obliquely, with the outer side lapping on the edge of the card slot 11-1, and the locking hook 13-2 on the inner side is located in the groove 11-2. At the cap pressing station 9, the plastic cap 13 is pressed downward into the card slot 11-1. Since the outer side lapping on the edge of the card slot 11-1, the plastic cap 13 will not come out of the card slot 11-1 during the downward pressing process. And the locking hook 13-2 on the inner side is located in the groove 11-2. Due to the inclination of the plastic cap 13, the inclined surface below the locking hook 13-2 is approximately vertical and parallel to the bottom surface of the groove 11-2. When pressing downward, the locking hook 13-2 can slide downward along the groove 11-2, and the plastic cap 13 undergoes a certain deformation until the locking hook 13-2 slides to the lower part of the groove 11-2 and enters the locking groove 11-3. The axis of the plastic cap 13 returns from the inclined state to the vertical state, and the plastic cap 13 is completely pressed into and fixed in the card slot 11-1.

[0067] There is one or two cap pressing devices. The cap pressing device includes lifting mechanisms 9-1 arranged on both sides of the conveying device 4. At the top of the two lifting mechanisms 9-1, there is a pressing plate 9-2. The pressing plate 9-2 spans above the conveying device 4, and several pressing heads are arranged on the pressing plate 9-2. The lifting mechanism 9-1 drives the pressing plate 9-2 to move downward to synchronously press several plastic caps 13. When there is one cap pressing device, the plastic caps 13 at both ends of the air switch housing 11 pass through the cap pressing device in sequence for cap pressing operations. In order to improve efficiency, in this specific embodiment, two cap pressing devices are provided. The distance between the two cap pressing devices is the same as the distance between the card slots 11-1 at both ends of the air switch housing 11. The air switch housing 11 with the plastic cap 13 placed thereon moves to the lower part of the two cap pressing devices, and the two cap pressing devices work synchronously to press the plastic caps 13 at both ends of the air switch housing 11 into the card slots 11-1 at the same time, thus completing the installation of the plastic cap 13.

[0068] When assembling the air switch housing 11, in addition to installing the nuts 12 and the plastic caps 13, a sheet-shaped plastic plug is also installed in the middle of the air switch housing 11. The installation of the plastic plug is realized through the plug installation station 7. The vibratory bowl feeder of the plug installation station 7 outputs the plastic plugs in a vibratory and oriented manner, and the output plugs are installed at the corresponding positions of the air switch housing 11 by a manipulator. Since the installation of the plastic plug has no relation to the installation of the nuts 12 and the plastic caps 13, there are no special requirements for the position of the plug installation station 7, and it can be located at any position in the length direction of the output device. In this specific embodiment, the plug installation station 7 is located between the nut installation station 6 and the cap installation station 8.

[0069] Positioning devices are provided at each station. The positioning device includes an X-direction positioning mechanism and a Y-direction positioning mechanism. The X-direction / Y-direction positioning mechanism includes a moving mechanism and a stop. The moving mechanism drives the stop to move a certain distance along the X-direction / Y-direction to limit the position of the air switch housing 11. The X-direction positioning mechanism is located on one side of the conveying device 4, and its moving mechanism drives its stop to move parallelly, thereby restricting the position of the side surface of the air switch housing 11; the Y-direction positioning mechanism is located below the conveying device 4, and its moving mechanism drives its stop to move up and down, thereby restricting the position of the front end of the air switch housing 11.

[0070] Among them, the moving mechanism is preferably a cylinder, and an adjusting nut 12 is provided on the stop for adjusting the position of the air switch housing 11 after positioning.

[0071] To ensure the qualified rate of the assembly of the air switch housing 11, sensors are provided at the nut installation station 6 to detect whether the nuts 12 are installed in place. The sensors are located below the conveying device 4, and each sensor is directly opposite the position of each nut 12. Since the nuts 12 are made of metal, proximity switches can be used as the sensors.

[0072] The present invention also discloses a method for assembling the air switch housing 11, which is realized based on the above-mentioned automatic air switch assembly equipment and includes the following steps.

[0073] a. The air switch housing is conveyed into the automatic air switch assembly equipment through the feeding device 2, and the air switch housing is driven to move by the conveying device 4.

[0074] b. The conveying device 4 drives the air switch housing to move to the nut installation station 6. The first grasping and executing mechanism 6-2 grabs a plurality of nuts 12 from the nut transfer buffer device, installs the nuts 12 into the plurality of terminal slot 11-1 at one end of the air switch housing simultaneously, and then the first grasping and executing mechanism 6-2 grabs a plurality of nuts 12 from the nut transfer buffer device and installs the nuts 12 into the plurality of terminal slot 11-1 at the other end of the air switch housing simultaneously.

[0075] c. The conveying device 4 drives the air switch housing to move to the cap - mounting station 8. The second grasping actuator 8 - 4 grabs multiple plastic caps 13 from the plastic cap transfer buffer device, and simultaneously places the plastic caps 13 into the multiple terminal - slot grooves 11 - 1 at one end of the air switch housing. Then, the second grasping actuator 8 - 4 grabs multiple plastic caps 13 from the plastic cap 13 transfer buffer device again, and simultaneously places the plastic caps 13 into the multiple terminal - slot grooves 11 - 1 at the other end of the air switch housing.

[0076] d. The conveying device 4 drives the air switch housing to move to the cap - pressing station 9. The cap - pressing station 9 presses the plastic cap 13 downward. During the downward - pressing process, the locking hook 13 - 2 moves downward along the groove 11 - 2 until it enters the locking groove 11 - 3 at the lower end of the groove 11 - 2.

[0077] e. The conveying device 4 drives the air switch housing to move to the blanking station 10. The blanking device 5 transfers the assembled air switch housing onto the blanking device 5.

[0078] f. The blanking device 5 outputs the assembled air switch housing.

[0079] Among them, in step b, a sufficient amount of nuts 12 are pre - added to the nut feeding device 6 - 3. The nut feeding device 6 - 3 outputs the nuts 12 in a directional manner, and the directionally - output nuts 12 move forward in sequence in the nut arrangement channel 6 - 4. The first buffer sliding table 6 - 8 moves so that one first material - receiving groove 6 - 9 faces the first transfer platform 6 - 5. When it is detected that there is a nut 12 on the first transfer platform 6 - 5, the first pusher mechanism 6 - 6 pushes the nut 12 on the first transfer platform 6 - 5 into this first material - receiving groove 6 - 9. After the first material - receiving groove 6 - 9 detects the presence of the nut 12, the first buffer sliding table 6 - 8 moves so that another first material - receiving groove 6 - 9 faces the first transfer platform 6 - 5. After detecting that a new nut 12 enters the first transfer platform 6 - 5, the first pusher mechanism 6 - 6 pushes the nut 12 into this first material - receiving groove 6 - 9. This process is repeated until there are nuts 12 in all the first material - receiving grooves 6 - 9 of the first buffer sliding table 6 - 8. The first buffer sliding table 6 - 8 carries the nuts 12 close to the nut - mounting device, and the nut - mounting device simultaneously takes away and installs the multiple nuts 12 on the first buffer sliding table 6 - 8.

[0080] After the nut - mounting device takes the nut 12 downward and moves up to a certain height, it moves the nut 12 horizontally above the slot 11 - 1 at one end of the air switch and aligns the nut 12 with the slot 11 - 1. The nut - mounting device moves downward to install the nut 12 in the slot 11 - 1.

[0081] Repeat the above steps to install the nuts 12 at the other end of the air - switch housing 11.

[0082] In step c, a sufficient amount of plastic caps 13 are pre-loaded into the plastic cap feeding device 8-5. The plastic cap feeding device 8-5 outputs the plastic caps 13 in a directed manner. The directed plastic caps 13 are arranged and advanced in sequence within the plastic cap arrangement channel 8-6. The second buffer sliding table 8-9 moves to align a second cap receiving groove 8-10 with the second transfer platform 8-7. When the second transfer platform 8-7 detects the presence of a plastic cap 13, the plastic cap 13 on the second transfer platform 8-7 is pushed into the second cap receiving groove 8-10 by the second pushing device. The second buffer sliding table 8-9 moves to align another second cap receiving groove 8-10 with the second transfer platform 8-7. After detecting that a new plastic cap 13 has entered the second transfer platform 8-7, the plastic cap 13 is pushed into the second cap receiving groove 8-10 by the second pushing device. This process is repeated until there are plastic caps 13 in all the second cap receiving grooves 8-10 of the second buffer sliding table 8-9. The sensor within the second cap receiving groove 8-10 detects whether the orientation of the rib 13-1 of the plastic cap 13 is correct, and the plastic cap mounting device simultaneously picks up multiple plastic caps 13 on the second buffer sliding table 8-9 for installation.

[0083] After the second grasping actuator 8-4 picks up multiple plastic caps 13, it moves above the terminal slot 11-1 at one end of the air switch housing. One side of the rib 13-1 of the plastic cap 13 corresponds to one side of the groove 11-2 of the terminal slot 11-1. After the swing frame 8-3 swings by a certain angle, the second grasping actuator 8-4 moves downward, causing the side of the plastic cap 13 with the locking hook 13-2 to be higher than the other side and be placed obliquely within the terminal slot 11-1, and the outer side of the plastic cap 13 to overlap within the outer edge of the slot 11-1. The locking hook 13-2 of the plastic cap 13 enters the groove 11-2 inside the slot 11-1, completing the placement of the plastic cap 13 at one end of the air switch housing 11. Then, the second grasping actuator 8-4 picks up multiple plastic caps 13 from the plastic cap transfer buffer device. For the slot 11-1 at the other end of the air switch, the position of the rib 13-1 on the plastic cap 13 is opposite to the position of the groove 11-2 on the slot 11-1. Therefore, by rotating the rotating frame 8-2 by 180°, one side of the rib 13-1 of the plastic cap 13 corresponds to one side of the groove 11-2 of the terminal slot 11-1. The second grasping actuator 8-4 moves above the terminal slot 11-1 at the other end of the air switch housing. After the swing frame 8-3 swings by a certain angle, the second grasping actuator 8-4 moves downward, causing the side of the plastic cap 13 with the locking hook 13-2 to be higher than the other side and be placed obliquely within the terminal slot 11-1, and the outer side of the plastic cap 13 to overlap within the outer edge of the slot 11-1. The locking hook 13-2 of the plastic cap 13 enters the groove 11-2 inside the slot 11-1, completing the placement of the plastic cap 13 at the other end of the air switch housing 11.

[0084] In step d, the plastic caps 13 at both ends of the air switch housing 11 move to directly below the cap pressing device, and the pressing plate 9-2 of the cap pressing device moves downward, thereby pressing the inclined plastic caps 13 placed at the card slots 11-1 into the card slots 11-1. During the downward pressing process, the outer side of the plastic cap 13 overlaps inside the outer edge of the card slot 11-1, thereby preventing the plastic cap 13 from disengaging from the card slot 11-1. The locking hook 13-2 of the plastic cap 13 moves downward along the groove 11-2, and at the same time causes the plastic cap 13 to undergo elastic deformation until the locking hook 13-2 moves to the locking slot 11-3, and the locking hook 13-2 enters the locking slot 11-3. The axis of the plastic cap 13 gradually changes from inclined to vertical, and the shape of the plastic cap 13 returns to its original state. At this time, the plastic cap 13 is fixedly installed in the card slot 11-1, and at the same time, the nut 12 is fixed to prevent the movement and disengagement of the nut 12.

[0085] The present invention further includes a plug installation process, which can be located at any position on the conveying device 4 and is used to install a sheet-shaped plastic plug on the air switch housing 11.

Claims

1. A method for assembling an air switch housing, characterized in that: It is realized based on the automatic assembly equipment of the air switch, and the automatic assembly equipment of the air switch includes A rack, used to install and support various devices; The feeding device is located at the head end of the conveying device and is used to convey the air switch housing into the equipment; A conveying device, used to convey the air switch housing through each station in sequence; A nut installation station, comprising a nut feeding device, a nut transfer and buffer device, and a nut installation device, wherein the nut installation device comprises a first three-axis slide and a first grasping actuator, and is used to simultaneously install nuts into multiple terminal slots of the air switch housing; The cap installation station is located behind the nut installation station, and includes a plastic cap feeding device, a plastic cap transfer and buffer device, and a plastic cap installation device. The plastic cap installation device includes a second three-axis slide, on which a rotating frame rotating around a longitudinal axis is arranged, on which a swing frame rotating around a transverse axis is arranged, and on which a second grabbing actuator is arranged, for simultaneously placing plastic caps in multiple terminal card slots of an air switch installed with nuts; The cap pressing station is located behind the cap installing station and includes a cap pressing device for pressing down a plurality of plastic films placed in the terminal card slots and clamping them in the card slots; The unloading station is used to transfer the processed air switch housing to the unloading device; as well as The unloading device is located at the tail end of the conveying device and is used to output the air switch housing; The following steps are involved: a. The air switch housing is transported to the air switch automatic assembly equipment through the loading device, and the air switch housing is driven to move by the conveying device; b. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the nut installation station, and the first grabbing actuator grabs multiple nuts from the nut transfer buffer device, and simultaneously installs the nuts into multiple terminal slots at one end of the air switch housing. Then, the first grabbing actuator grabs multiple nuts from the nut transfer buffer device, and simultaneously installs the nuts into multiple terminal slots at the other end of the air switch housing; c. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the cap installation station, and the second grabbing actuator grabs multiple plastic caps from the plastic cap transfer and buffer device, and the second grabbing actuator moves to the top of the terminal slot at one end of the air switch housing, and the convex side of the plastic cap corresponds to the groove side of the terminal slot. After the swing frame swings a certain angle, the second grabbing actuator moves downward, so that the side of the plastic cap with the locking hook is higher than the other side and is tilted and placed in the terminal slot, and the locking hook enters the groove; then the second grabbing actuator grabs multiple plastic caps from the plastic cap transfer and buffer device, and the rotating frame rotates 180°, so that the convex side of the plastic cap corresponds to the groove side of the terminal slot, and the second grabbing actuator moves to the top of the terminal slot at the other end of the air switch housing, and the swing frame swings a certain angle, the second grabbing actuator moves downward, so that the side of the plastic cap with the locking hook is higher than the other side and is tilted and placed in the terminal slot, and the locking hook enters the groove; d. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the cap pressing station, which presses the plastic cap downward. During the pressing process, the locking hook moves downward along the groove until it enters the locking groove at the lower end of the groove; e. The conveying device drives the air switch housing to move to the unloading station, and the unloading device transfers the assembled air switch housing to the unloading device; f. The assembled air switch casing is output by the unloading device.

2. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nut feeding device is a vibrating plate loader, which is used to output nuts to a nut transfer and buffer device in a directed manner; the nut transfer and buffer device includes a nut arrangement channel, and the nuts directed output by the vibrating plate loader are arranged in sequence in the nut arrangement channel, and a first transfer platform is provided at the end of the nut arrangement channel, a first pushing mechanism is provided on one side of the first transfer platform, and a first cache guide rail is provided on the other side of the first transfer platform, a first cache sliding material table is provided on the first cache guide rail, and a plurality of first material receiving grooves are provided on the first cache sliding material table along the length direction of the first cache guide rail, and the reciprocating movement of the first pushing mechanism and the movement of the first cache sliding material table along the first cache guide rail push the plurality of nuts into the first material receiving grooves in sequence.

3. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step b, a sufficient amount of nuts are added to the nut feeding device in advance, and the nuts are output in a direction by the nut feeding device. The nuts output in a direction are arranged in sequence and advanced in the nut arrangement channel; the first cache sliding material table is moved so that a first material receiving groove is opposite to the first transfer platform, and the nuts entering the first transfer platform are pushed into the first material receiving groove; the first cache sliding material table is moved so that another first material receiving groove is opposite to the first transfer platform, and the nuts entering the first transfer platform are pushed into the first material receiving groove, and this process is repeated until there are nuts in all the first material receiving grooves of the first cache sliding material table; the nut installation device takes away multiple nuts on the first cache sliding material table at the same time for installation.

4. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plastic cap feeding device is a vibrating plate loader, which is used to output the plastic caps in a directed manner to the plastic cap transfer and buffer device; the plastic cap transfer and buffer device includes a plastic cap arrangement channel, and the plastic caps directed by the vibrating plate loader are arranged in sequence in the plastic cap arrangement channel, and a second transfer platform is provided at the end of the plastic cap arrangement channel, a second pushing mechanism is provided on one side of the second transfer platform, a second buffer guide rail is provided on the other side of the second transfer platform, a second buffer sliding material table is provided on the second buffer guide rail, and a plurality of second material receiving grooves are provided on the second buffer sliding material table along the length direction of the second buffer guide rail, and the reciprocating movement of the second pushing mechanism and the movement of the second buffer sliding material table along the second buffer guide rail push the plurality of plastic caps into the second material receiving grooves in sequence.

5. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step c, a sufficient amount of plastic caps are added to the plastic cap feeding device in advance, and the plastic cap feeding device outputs the plastic caps in a direction, and the directed output plastic caps are arranged in sequence and advanced in the plastic cap arrangement channel; the second cache sliding material table moves so that a second receiving groove faces the second transfer platform, and the plastic caps entering the second transfer platform are pushed into the second receiving groove, and the second cache sliding material table moves so that another second receiving groove faces the second transfer platform, and the plastic caps entering the second transfer platform are pushed into the second receiving groove, and this is repeated until there are plastic caps in all the second receiving grooves of the second cache sliding material table; the plastic cap installation device takes away multiple plastic caps on the second cache sliding material table at the same time for installation.

6. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cap pressing device has one or two cap pressing devices, and the cap pressing device includes lifting mechanisms arranged on both sides of the conveying device, and a pressing plate is arranged on the top of the two lifting mechanisms. The pressing plate spans above the conveying device, and a plurality of pressing heads are arranged on the pressing plate.

7. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying device comprises two conveying belts parallel to each other. Baffles are arranged on both sides of the conveying device. The distance between the two baffles is slightly larger than the width of the air switch housing.

8. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first grasping actuator / the second grasping actuator is a clamping claw or a suction cup.

9. The air switch housing assembly method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air switch automatic assembly equipment also includes a plug installation station for installing a plastic plug into a card slot of the air switch housing.

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