Thermal forming part riveting point modification composite device and riveting production line

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automobile engineering, in particular to a hot forming part riveting point modification composite device and a riveting production line. The main structure of the compound device comprises a bottom plate, a positioning and clamping module, an inductor mounting module and an inductor. The positioning and clamping module comprises a first base, a first connecting plate, a first air cylinder and a first pressing arm, the inductor mounting modules are fixed to the bottom plate, and inductors are movably arranged on the inductor mounting modules; the inductor mounting module is configured to drive the inductor to be close to or away from a riveting point area on the part, and the inductor is configured to heat and anneal the riveting point area. The multiple sets of inductors work synchronously, multiple riveting points can be processed at the same time, point-by-point heating operation is avoided, the production takt is remarkably improved, the heating areas of the inductors are concentrated, riveting point areas can be accurately covered, the local annealing control precision is high, and the riveting quality is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of automotive engineering technology, and in particular to a composite device for modifying rivet points of thermoformed parts and a riveting production line. Background Art

[0002] In the era of lightweight vehicles, the market is increasingly dominated by vehicles with steel and aluminum bodies. To achieve high-performance, high-strength body-in-white (BIW), the materials used in thermoformed parts are becoming increasingly stronger, with tensile strengths exceeding 2000 MPa. This can lead to quality defects such as rivets failing to penetrate the sheet metal and rivet deformation when thermoformed parts are riveted to cast aluminum parts using SPR riveting.

[0003] In the production field, localized heating of parts is performed using a heating source (such as high-frequency induction heating) to reduce the surface hardness of thermoformed parts, thereby improving the quality of SPR riveting. Existing high-frequency induction heating equipment often uses handheld heaters to heat parts. This heating method makes it difficult to control the localized heating modification of parts. In automobile body production, the localized modification of thermoformed parts must be strictly aligned with the riveting point.

[0004] Related technologies integrate the rivet gun and heating device by adding a fixed heating source next to the rivet gun base. This allows the heating source to locally heat the part, reducing the surface hardness of the thermoformed part and improving the quality of SPR riveting. However, this structure can only heat and modify the rivet points one by one before riveting, resulting in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the purposes of this application is to provide a composite device for modifying the rivet points of thermoformed parts to solve the problem in the prior art that only the rivet points can be heated and modified one by one, resulting in low production efficiency; the second purpose is to provide a riveting production line.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, the technical solutions adopted in this application are as follows:

[0007] A thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device, comprising:

[0008] base plate;

[0009] The positioning and clamping module includes a first base, a first connecting plate, a first cylinder and a first pressing arm, wherein the first base is fixed to the bottom plate, the first connecting plate is vertically arranged and connected to the first base, the first cylinder is connected to the first connecting plate, the middle portion of the first pressing arm is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate, the driving end of the first cylinder is rotatably connected to one end of the first pressing arm, the lower side of the other end of the first pressing arm is connected to a pressing block, and a support block corresponding to the pressing block is provided on the upper side of the first connecting plate, the first cylinder is configured to drive the first pressing arm to rotate and drive the pressing block to move closer to or away from the support block to clamp or release the part;

[0010] The sensor mounting module is provided with multiple groups and is fixed on the base plate. The sensor mounting module includes movably arranged sensors. The sensor mounting module is configured to drive the sensors to approach or move away from the rivet point area on the part. The sensors are configured to heat and anneal the rivet point area.

[0011] Through the above technical means, multiple groups of sensors work synchronously and can process multiple rivet points at the same time, avoiding point-by-point heating operations and significantly improving the production cycle. In addition, the sensor heating area is concentrated and can accurately cover the vicinity of the rivet point. The local annealing control has high precision and ensures the riveting quality. The middle part of the first pressing arm is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate to form a lever structure, thereby realizing the clamping and release of the parts by the pressing block and the support block. The lever-type pneumatic clamping mechanism is used to achieve efficient fixation of the hardware, ensuring that the parts do not move during induction heating.

[0012] Furthermore, a pin seat is provided on one side of the first connecting plate, a positioning pin is fixed on the top of the pin seat, and the positioning pin protrudes from the top surface of the support block.

[0013] Through the above technical means, when the thermoformed part to be processed is placed on the support block, the pre-set positioning holes or grooves on the part can be fitted over the positioning pins, thereby restricting the part's horizontal movement. This, combined with the vertical clamping action of the pressure block, further improves overall clamping stability and positioning accuracy. This structural design not only facilitates the rapid and repeated placement of parts by workers or robotic arms, but also helps ensure the precise alignment of the sensor with the rivet point area, improving the consistency and reliability of heat modification.

[0014] Furthermore, a first upper limit block is provided on the lower side of the first pressure arm, and a first lower limit block is fixed on the upper side of the first connecting plate. The first upper limit block and the first lower limit block are used to abut and cooperate to limit the extreme position of the first pressure arm during rotation.

[0015] Through the above technical means, on the one hand, it is possible to prevent the first pressing arm from excessively rotating under the drive of the first cylinder, causing the pressing block to apply excessive clamping force to the supporting block or part, thereby causing wear and deformation of the pressing block or the supporting block, and even damaging the thermoformed part body; on the other hand, the limiting structure also helps to maintain the stable stay position of the first pressing arm when the device is not working, thereby improving the overall mechanical strength and operational safety of the system.

[0016] Furthermore, two groups of the pressing blocks and the supporting blocks are correspondingly provided.

[0017] Through the above technical means, double-point constraint clamping of thermoformed parts in the longitudinal direction is achieved. This structural design can significantly enhance the stability and anti-deviability during the clamping process, effectively preventing problems such as part warping, displacement or deformation due to local uneven force during heating modification or subsequent riveting, and further improving positioning accuracy and operational reliability.

[0018] Furthermore, the sensor mounting module is a flip-type mounting module, which includes a second base, a second connecting plate, a second cylinder and a second pressure arm. The second base is fixed to the bottom plate, the second connecting plate is vertically arranged and connected to the second base, the second cylinder is connected to the second connecting plate, the middle part of the second pressure arm is rotatably connected to the second connecting plate, the driving end of the second cylinder is rotatably connected to one end of the second pressure arm, and the other end of the second pressure arm is provided with the sensor, and the first cylinder is configured to drive the pressure arm to rotate and drive the sensor close to or away from the rivet point area on the part.

[0019] Through the above technical means, the sensor can be controlled to flip and swing and accurately positioned, thereby meeting the localized heating and modification requirements of multiple rivet points on thermoformed parts, while avoiding the interference of the sensor with the part clamping and operating space when not in operation. In actual operation, the second cylinder is configured to drive the second pressure arm to rotate around its central axis, so that the sensor can flip to the target rivet point area when in operation, achieving localized induction heating; when not in operation, the sensor can flip with the pressure arm and leave the working area, avoiding interference with the placement, positioning, clamping or handling of the part, and improving overall operational convenience and safety.

[0020] Furthermore, a second upper limit block is provided on the lower side of the second pressure arm, and a second lower limit block is fixed on the upper side of the second connecting plate. The second upper limit block and the second lower limit block are used to abut and cooperate to limit the extreme position of the second pressure arm during rotation.

[0021] The above technical measures effectively prevent the second pressing arm from excessively rotating, which could cause interference and collision between the sensor and surrounding equipment. This also avoids sensor damage or positioning deviation caused by misoperation or execution errors. It also helps ensure the consistency of the sensor's position above the rivet area each time it moves, thereby improving the consistency and stability of thermal modification.

[0022] Furthermore, the sensor mounting module is a sliding type mounting module, which includes a slide rail, a slide, a third base, a third cylinder, a third connecting plate and a limiting connector connected in sequence, the slide rail is used to drive the slide to move horizontally relative to the base plate, the third base is fixed on the slide, the third cylinder is fixed on the third base and is used to drive the horizontally arranged third connecting plate to move in a vertical direction, and the sensor is fixed to the third connecting plate through the limiting connector.

[0023] Through these technologies, the slide rail and slide combination enables rapid switching of the sensor's horizontal position. The vertical movement of the third cylinder and the third connecting plate allows the sensor to precisely approach and depart from the rivet point area. Compared to flip-type structures, the slide-type mounting module offers greater flexibility and stability in compact production lines, helping to improve the equipment's automation and operational efficiency.

[0024] Furthermore, the sensor includes a copper tube and a magnetic conductor, and the magnetic conductor is a groove structure sleeved on the copper tube.

[0025] Through the above technical means, the magnetic conductor can effectively limit the direction of magnetic field distribution, concentrate the magnetic flux in the induction area, enhance the efficiency of induction heating, reduce the ineffective diffusion of electromagnetic energy, and improve the local control accuracy of the heating area. It is particularly suitable for local heat treatment of the rivet point area of ​​thermoformed parts.

[0026] Furthermore, two positioning and clamping modules are provided, and the plurality of sensor mounting modules are arranged between the two positioning and clamping modules.

[0027] Using the aforementioned technology, multiple sensor mounting modules are evenly arranged in a matrix along the space between the two positioning and clamping modules. Each sensor corresponds to multiple rivet points on the part. This arrangement enables simultaneous or grouped heating of multiple rivet points, significantly improving modification efficiency and reducing the time lost by position changes and single-point treatment. Furthermore, this layout makes the overall structure of the device more compact, allowing induction heating of multiple locations to be completed without frequent movement of the part after positioning, facilitating automation and batch processing.

[0028] A riveting production line comprises a thermoformed part riveting point modification composite device as claimed in claim 1, a riveting device and a robot, wherein the robot is configured to move the riveting device, and the riveting device is configured to rivet the riveting point area after heating and annealing.

[0029] By leveraging these technologies, the riveting production line enables continuous automation of operations, from part clamping and positioning to induction heating and annealing of the rivet points, and finally to the riveting process. This significantly improves production cycle time and process consistency, meeting the performance requirements of the modern automotive industry for joining dissimilar materials such as high-strength steel and aluminum alloys. This line effectively addresses issues such as rivet deformation and penetration difficulties caused by high substrate hardness, improving the reliability and appearance quality of finished products.

[0030] Furthermore, the riveting production line also includes a high-frequency power supply and a control system, the high-frequency power supply is electrically connected to the sensor, and the control system is used for signal interaction between the robot, the riveting equipment, the positioning and clamping module, the sensor installation module and the high-frequency power supply.

[0031] Through the above technical means, a high-frequency power supply is electrically connected to the multiple inductors, forming the energy supply for induction heating. This power supply provides the inductors with a stable, adjustable high-frequency alternating current, generating eddy currents in the riveting area and achieving rapid heating and annealing. The control system establishes data exchange with the robot, riveting equipment, positioning and clamping module, inductor mounting module, and high-frequency power supply via a communication interface, enabling automated coordinated control of the entire production line.

[0032] Furthermore, the positioning and clamping module and the sensor installation module are both provided with position sensors, and the position sensors are electrically connected to the control system.

[0033] Through the above technical means, the signals collected by all position sensors will be transmitted synchronously to the control system. The control system will perform logical judgment and process coordination on the collected results to ensure that in the entire modification and riveting process, the actions of each component are reasonable and the sequence is correct, avoiding problems such as misheating, missed heating, and incorrect riveting caused by sensors or parts not being in place, thereby greatly improving the reliability of automated operation and overall production efficiency.

[0034] Beneficial effects of this application:

[0035] (1) In the thermoformed part rivet point modification composite device provided by the above embodiment, multiple sets of sensors can work synchronously, processing multiple rivet points simultaneously, avoiding point-by-point heating operations and significantly improving production cycle time. In addition, the sensor heating area is concentrated, accurately covering the vicinity of the rivet point, and the local annealing control is highly accurate, ensuring riveting quality.

[0036] (2) In the composite device for modifying the rivet points of thermoformed parts, the middle part of the first pressure arm is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate to form a lever structure, thereby realizing the clamping and release of the parts by the pressure block and the support block. The lever-type pneumatic clamping mechanism is used to achieve efficient fixation of the hardware, ensuring that the parts do not move during induction heating.

[0037] (3) The sensor installation module is also used to control the sensor to stay away from the working area during the non-working period. When the part has not yet been placed or is about to be removed from the positioning and clamping module, the system controls the sensor to be in a standby state, and the sensor installation module drives the sensor to retreat to a preset safe position, so that the sensor is away from the positioning and clamping area, avoiding damage to the equipment or parts due to spatial interference during the loading or unloading process of the parts. At the same time, it also leaves enough space for the mechanical movement of automatic loading and unloading, thereby improving the overall operational flexibility and safety of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a thermoformed part rivet point modification composite device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a positioning and clamping module in a composite device for modifying rivets of thermoformed parts provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a flip-type installation module in a thermoformed part rivet point modification composite device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a sliding table mounting module in a thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the results of the sensor in the thermoforming part rivet point modification composite device provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the riveting production line provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] in,

[0045] 100, bottom plate;

[0046] 200, positioning and clamping module; 201, first base; 202, first connecting plate; 203, first cylinder; 204, first pressing arm; 205, pressing block; 206, supporting block; 207, pin holder; 208, positioning pin; 209, first upper limit block; 210, first lower limit block; 211, first position sensor;

[0047] 300, sensor installation module;

[0048] 310, flip-type mounting module; 311, second base; 312, second connecting plate; 313, second cylinder; 314, second pressure arm; 315, second upper limit block; 316, second lower limit block; 317, second position sensor;

[0049] 320. Sliding table mounting module; 321. Slide rail; 322. Slide table; 323. Third base; 324. Third cylinder; 325. Third connecting plate; 326. Position limiting connector; 327. Third position sensor.

[0050] 400, sensor; 410, copper tube; 420, magnetic conductor

[0051] 500, parts;

[0052] 600. Riveting equipment;

[0053] 700, robot;

[0054] 800, high frequency power supply;

[0055] 900. Control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following will describe the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of the present application from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for the purpose of illustrating the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0057] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present application. Therefore, the illustrations only show components related to the present application and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component can be changed at will, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.

[0058] See also Figure 1-5 The main structure of the thermoforming part rivet point modification composite device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a base plate 100, a positioning and clamping module 200, a sensor installation module 300 and a sensor 400.

[0059] The base plate 100 in the thermoformed part rivet point modification composite device is used as a fixed carrier for the positioning and clamping module 200 and the sensor installation module 300; the positioning and clamping module 200 includes a first base 201, a first connecting plate 202, a first cylinder 203 and a first pressing arm 204, the first base 201 is fixed on the base plate 100, the first connecting plate 202 is vertically arranged and connected to the first base 201, the first cylinder 203 is connected to the first connecting plate 202, the middle part of the first pressing arm 204 is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate 202, the driving end of the first cylinder 203 is rotatably connected to one end of the first pressing arm 204, and the first pressing arm 204 is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate 202. A pressure block 205 is connected to the lower side of the other end, and a support block 206 corresponding to the pressure block 205 is provided on the upper side of the first connecting plate 202. The first cylinder 203 is configured to drive the first pressure arm 204 to rotate and drive the pressure block 205 to move closer to or away from the support block 206 to clamp or release the part 500; the sensor mounting module 300 is provided with multiple groups and fixed on the base plate 100, and the sensor 400 is movably provided on the sensor mounting module 300, and the sensor mounting module 300 is configured to drive the sensor 400 to move closer to or away from the rivet point area on the part 500, and the sensor 400 is configured to heat and anneal the rivet point area.

[0060] The positioning and clamping module 200 is used to position and secure the part 500. The pressure block 205 and support block 206 are used to clamp and secure the part 500, preventing it from shifting during heating. The middle portion of the first pressure arm 204 is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate 202, forming a lever structure. The first cylinder 203 drives one end of the first pressure arm 204, causing it to flip. When the first cylinder 203 is in operation, it rotates the first pressure arm 204, moving the pressure block 205 toward the support block 206 to clamp the part 500. Reverse drive releases the clamping state, facilitating workpiece replacement and adjustment. This allows the pressure block 205 and support block 206 to clamp and release the part 500. The sensor installation module 300 is used to install the sensor 400. After the part 500 is positioned, multiple sensor installation modules 300 drive the sensors 400 to the rivet point area on the part 500. The sensors 400 heat and retract the rivet point area, completing the modification. The inductor 400 is a high-frequency induction heating device with an output frequency range of 100kHz to 500kHz and a power of 5kW to 20kW. The heating power and heating time can be set according to the thickness and strength requirements of the plate.

[0061] During the working process, the part 500 to be processed is first placed in the positioning area on the positioning and clamping module 200, and the positioning and clamping module 200 is started. The first cylinder 203 pushes the first pressing arm 204 to rotate, so that the pressing block 205 presses the part 500 downward, and completes the workpiece clamping together with the support block 206; multiple sensor installation modules 300 move the sensor 400 to the corresponding rivet point position, accurately aligning it with the area that needs to be modified, and starting the sensor 400. The sensor 400 outputs a high-frequency magnetic field at the rivet point area, heats the local area around the rivet point, and causes the area to be annealed and softened; after the set heating time is over, the sensor 400 moves to a safe position in the sensor installation module 300 and enters the next process.

[0062] In the above embodiment, multiple groups of sensors 400 work synchronously, and can process multiple rivet points at the same time, avoiding point-by-point heating operations, significantly improving production time, and the heating area of ​​the sensor 400 is concentrated, which can accurately cover the rivet point area, and the local annealing control accuracy is high, ensuring the riveting quality; the middle part of the first pressing arm 204 is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate 202 to form a lever structure, thereby realizing the clamping and release of the part 500 by the pressing block 205 and the support block 206, and the use of a lever-type pneumatic clamping mechanism to achieve efficient fixation of the hardware, ensuring that the part 500 does not move during induction heating.

[0063] In addition to driving the sensor 400 close to the rivet point area of ​​the thermoformed part 500 to heat and anneal the target location, the sensor installation module 300 is also used to control the sensor 400 away from the working area when the sensor 400 is not in operation. When the part 500 has not yet been placed or is about to be removed from the positioning and clamping module 200, the system controls the sensor 400 to be in a standby state. The sensor installation module 300 drives the sensor 400 to a preset safe position, keeping the sensor 400 away from the positioning and clamping area. This prevents damage to the equipment or the part 500 due to spatial interference during the loading or unloading process. It also leaves sufficient space for the movement of the automatic loading and unloading robot arm, improving the overall operational flexibility and safety of the equipment.

[0064] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, a pin seat 207 is provided on one side of the first connecting plate 202, and a positioning pin 208 is fixed to the top of the pin seat 207. The positioning pin 208 protrudes from the top surface of the support block 206. The positioning pin 208 is used to limit and assist in positioning the clamped part 500.

[0065] Specifically, the positioning pin 208 is preferably a cylindrical pin or a tapered pin structure, and its height is higher than the top surface of the support block 206. When the thermoformed part 500 to be processed is placed on the support block 206, the preset positioning hole or groove on the part 500 can be sleeved on the positioning pin 208, thereby limiting the position movement of the part 500 in the horizontal direction, and cooperating with the clamping effect of the pressure block 205 in the vertical direction, further improving the overall clamping stability and positioning accuracy. This structural design not only facilitates the rapid and repeated placement of the part 500 by workers or robotic arms, but also helps to ensure the precise alignment of the sensor 400 to the rivet point area, thereby improving the consistency and reliability of the heat modification. In addition, the positioning pin 208 can also be adapted to the positioning requirements of different models of parts 500 by replacing pin bodies of different heights or shapes according to the size changes of the part 500.

[0066] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, a first upper limit block 209 is provided on the lower side of the first pressing arm 204, and a first lower limit block 210 is fixed on the upper side of the first connecting plate 202. The first upper limit block 209 and the first lower limit block 210 are used to abut and cooperate to limit the extreme position of the first pressing arm 204 during the rotation process. The first upper limit block 209 and the first lower limit block 210 are used to abut and cooperate with each other during the rotation process of the first pressing arm 204, thereby limiting the maximum rotation angle range of the first pressing arm 204 and preventing the distance between the pressing block 205 and the support block 206 from being too small, causing structural interference or damage to the component 500. This structural setting has multiple protection effects: on the one hand, it can prevent the first pressing arm 204 from excessively rotating under the drive of the first cylinder 203, causing the pressing block 205 to apply excessive clamping force to the support block 206 or the part 500, thereby causing wear and deformation of the pressing block 205 or the support block 206, and even damaging the thermoformed part 500 body; on the other hand, the limiting structure also helps to maintain the stable stay position of the first pressing arm 204 when the device is not working, thereby improving the overall mechanical strength and operational safety of the system.

[0067] Preferably, the relative position relationship between the upper limit block and the lower limit block can be preset according to the specific length of the first pressure arm 204 and the clamping force requirement, and an adjustable buffer gasket or elastic part can be set to absorb the contact impact force to improve the buffering effect and life of the limiting action.

[0068] In some embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, two corresponding groups of pressing blocks 205 and supporting blocks 206 are provided. The two pressing blocks 205 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the first pressing arm 204, and are respectively located at two different positions along the length of the first pressing arm 204. This allows each positioning and clamping module 200 to form two independent clamping points on the surface of the part 500 during clamping, thereby achieving dual-point longitudinal clamping of the thermoformed part 500. This structural design significantly enhances stability and anti-deviability during the clamping process, effectively preventing warping, displacement, or deformation of the part 500 due to localized uneven force during heat modification or subsequent riveting, further improving positioning accuracy and operational reliability.

[0069] Specifically, each set of pressing blocks 205 is mounted on the lower surface of the first pressing arm 204 and secured via fasteners. The support blocks 206 are located on the upper surface of the first connecting plate 202, opposite the pressing blocks 205. As the first cylinder 203 drives the first pressing arm 204 to rotate, the two sets of pressing blocks 205 simultaneously cooperate with their corresponding support blocks 206 to simultaneously clamp or release the part 500. The spacing between the two sets of pressing blocks 205 can be optimized based on the size of the part 500, the distribution of rivet points, and the required clamping force to accommodate the positioning and clamping requirements of various thermoformed parts 500, enhancing the versatility and adaptability of the device.

[0070] In some embodiments, the sensor installation module 300 is as follows Figure 3 The flip-type mounting module 310 shown in the figure includes a second base 311, a second connecting plate 312, a second cylinder 313 and a second pressure arm 314. The second base 311 is fixed on the base plate 100, the second connecting plate 312 is vertically arranged and connected to the second base 311, the second cylinder 313 is connected to the second connecting plate 312, the middle part of the second pressure arm 314 is rotatably connected to the second connecting plate 312, the driving end of the second cylinder 313 is rotatably connected to one end of the second pressure arm 314, and the other end of the second pressure arm 314 is provided with the sensor 400. The first cylinder 203 is configured to drive the pressure arm to rotate and drive the sensor 400 to approach or move away from the rivet point area on the part 500.

[0071] The flip-type mounting module 310 is used to achieve controlled flipping and precise positioning of the inductor 400, thereby meeting the requirements for localized heating and modification of multiple rivet points on the thermoformed part 500, while also preventing the inductor 400 from interfering with the clamping and operating space of the part 500 when not in operation. The second cylinder 313 is mounted on the second connecting plate 312, and its driving end is rotatably connected to one end of the second pressure arm 314. The middle portion of the second pressure arm 314 is rotatably connected to the second connecting plate 312 via a rotating shaft, forming a lever structure with the middle portion as the fulcrum. In actual operation, the second cylinder 313 is configured to drive the second pressure arm 314 to rotate about its central axis, allowing the inductor 400 to flip over to the target rivet point area when in operation, achieving localized induction heating. When not in operation, the inductor 400 can flip out of the working area with the pressure arm, avoiding interference with the placement, positioning, clamping, or handling of the part 500, thereby improving overall operational convenience and safety.

[0072] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, a second upper limit block 315 is provided on the lower side of the second pressure arm 314, and a second lower limit block 316 is fixed on the upper side of the second connecting plate 312. The second upper limit block 315 and the second lower limit block 316 are used to abut and cooperate to limit the extreme position of the second pressure arm 314 during the rotation process.

[0073] The second upper limit block 315 is installed on the lower side of the second pressing arm 314, close to the rotation connection part between it and the second connecting plate 312, and is used to form a physical stop during the rotation of the second pressing arm 314. The second lower limit block 316 is fixedly installed on the upper side of the second connecting plate 312, and its position corresponds to the second upper limit block 315. When the second cylinder 313 drives the second pressing arm 314 to rotate, the second upper limit block 315 will contact the second lower limit block 316 after reaching the preset angle, forming a mechanical limit, thereby limiting the second pressing arm 314 from continuing to rotate. By setting up this limiting structure, it is possible to effectively prevent the second pressing arm 314 from interfering with and colliding with peripheral equipment due to excessive rotation, and avoid damage or positioning deviation of the sensor 400 caused by misoperation or execution error. At the same time, it also helps to ensure the consistency of the position of the sensor 400 above the rivet point area each time it moves, thereby improving the consistency and stability of the heating modification.

[0074] In some embodiments, the sensor installation module 300 is as follows Figure 4The sliding mounting module 320 shown in the figure includes a slide rail 321, a slide 322, a third base 323, a third cylinder 324, a third connecting plate 325 and a limiting connecting member 326 connected in sequence. The slide rail 321 is used to drive the slide 322 to move horizontally relative to the base plate 100. The third base 323 is fixed on the slide 322. The third cylinder 324 is fixed on the third base 323 and is used to drive the horizontally arranged third connecting plate 325 to move in the vertical direction. The sensor 400 is fixed on the third connecting plate 325 through the limiting connecting member 326.

[0075] The slide rail 321 is fixed to the base plate 100, guiding and driving the slide 322 to slide along a predetermined horizontal direction relative to the base plate 100, thereby enabling the sensor 400 to advance and retreat horizontally. The slide rail 321 can be a linear guide rail used in conjunction with a ball slider, controlled by a drive component such as a servo motor, stepper motor, or pneumatic cylinder, ensuring smooth and precise movement. The slide 322 is mounted on the slide rail 321, and its upper surface is fixedly connected to the third base 323, which is used to support subsequent components.

[0076] The third cylinder 324 is vertically mounted and fixedly attached to the third base 323. The driving end of the third cylinder 324 is connected to the third connecting plate 325, allowing it to move vertically up and down under the drive of the third cylinder 324. The sensor 400 is fixedly mounted to the third connecting plate 325 via a limiting connector 326, allowing the sensor 400 to move up and down with the third connecting plate 325, achieving precise vertical alignment.

[0077] The limiting connector 326 may also be provided with a buffer mechanism or a stroke limiting mechanism. The limiting connector 326 may be provided as an integral structure composed of a plurality of L-shaped blocks in different directions for limiting in a plurality of directions. For example, the limiting structure in the vertical direction may be used to limit the maximum downward pressing depth of the sensor 400, thereby preventing the sensor 400 from being too close to the surface of the part 500 during the downward pressing process and causing mechanical interference or damage.

[0078] In this embodiment, the combination of slide rails 321 and slides 322 allows for rapid switching of sensor 400 between horizontal positions. The vertical movement of third cylinder 324 and third connecting plate 325 allows for precise movement of sensor 400 toward and away from the rivet point area. Compared to flip-type structures, the slide-type mounting module 320 offers greater flexibility and stability in compact production lines, helping to improve automation and operational efficiency.

[0079] In some embodiments, as Figure 5As shown, the inductor 400 includes a copper tube 410 and a magnetizer 420, and the magnetizer 420 is a groove structure sleeved on the copper tube 410. The copper tube 410 is used to form the induction coil part of the high-frequency induction heating circuit. The material of the copper tube 410 is selected from high-conductivity copper or oxygen-free copper to ensure sufficient current flow capacity and excellent thermal conductivity. The magnetizer 420 is made of a soft magnetic material with high magnetic permeability, such as iron-silicon alloy or ferrite, and its shape is a groove-shaped structure, which is sleeved on the outside of the copper tube 410. The groove structure of the magnetizer 420 can effectively limit the direction of magnetic field distribution, concentrate the magnetic flux in the induction area, enhance the efficiency of induction heating, reduce the ineffective diffusion of electromagnetic energy, and improve the local control accuracy of the heating area. It is particularly suitable for local heat treatment of the rivet point area of ​​hot-formed parts.

[0080] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, two positioning and clamping modules 200 are provided, and the plurality of sensor mounting modules 300 are arranged between the two positioning and clamping modules 200 .

[0081] The two positioning and clamping modules 200 are respectively arranged at the two ends of the base plate 100, and are used to position and clamp the two ends of the thermoformed part 500 to be processed, ensuring the position stability and processing accuracy of the part 500 during the subsequent heating and modification process. Each positioning and clamping module 200 firmly presses the part 500 through the clamping fit between the pressure block 205 and the support block 206 to prevent problems that affect quality such as offset, vibration or warping during heating or movement. Multiple sensor mounting modules 300 are evenly arranged in a matrix along the space between the two positioning and clamping modules 200, and each sensor 400 corresponds to a plurality of riveted point areas on the part 500. This arrangement can realize simultaneous or grouped heating treatment of multiple rivet point positions, significantly improving the modification efficiency and reducing the time loss caused by transposition and single-point processing.

[0082] Furthermore, this layout makes the overall structure of the device more compact. Once positioned, part 500 can be induction heated at multiple locations without frequent movement, facilitating automated and mass-produced operations. The coordinated arrangement of the inductor mounting module 300 and the positioning and clamping module 200 further ensures accurate and consistent heating of the rivet points, providing an excellent foundation for subsequent high-quality riveting processes.

[0083] It should be noted that the specific locations of the positioning and clamping modules 200 and the sensor installation module 300 on the base plate 100 need to be pre-designed based on the part 500 to be processed. This allows the positioning and clamping modules 200 to align with the corresponding clamping area or positioning structure on the part 500 after the first pressing arm 204 is flipped. The sensor 400 can align with the corresponding rivet point area on the part 500 after the second pressing arm 314 of the flip-type installation module 310 is flipped. The guide rail counter module and the third cylinder 324 of the slide-type installation module 320 can move to a predetermined degree to align the sensor 400 with the corresponding rivet point area on the part 500. When replacing a different part 500 or performing processing according to different requirements, the specific locations of the positioning and clamping modules 200 and the sensor installation module 300 on the base plate 100 need to be adjusted accordingly. The base plate 100, which serves as the installation base for the entire device, has good structural rigidity and thermal stability to prevent its deformation from affecting the relative positions of the modules. A plurality of mounting holes and guide rails can be preset on the base plate 100 for precise installation and adjustment of the positions of the positioning and clamping module 200 and the sensor mounting module 300 to meet the requirements of different sizes of parts 500.

[0084] like Figure 6 As shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a riveting production line, which includes a thermoformed part riveting point modification composite device, a riveting device 600 and a robot 700. The robot 700 is configured to move the riveting device 600, and the riveting device 600 is configured to rivet the riveting point area after heating and annealing. The thermoformed part riveting point modification composite device can adopt the structure provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments of the present application, and is used to perform a heat annealing treatment on multiple riveting point areas of the thermoformed part 500 to improve the subsequent riveting quality. The robot 700 is preferably an industrial robot arm with a multi-axis linkage function, and is configured to move the riveting device 600 to the target riveting point area on the thermoformed part 500 according to a predetermined trajectory and control program. The robot 700 can achieve high-precision positioning operation of the riveting device 600 by working in conjunction with the vision system, the control system 900 and the positioning system. The riveting device 600 may be an SPR (self-piercing riveting) rivet gun suitable for connecting aluminum parts to high-strength hot-formed steel sheets. It is configured to perform the riveting operation after the rivet point areas of the hot-formed part 500 have been heated and annealed. The robot 700 sequentially moves the riveting device 600 to multiple rivet point locations, enabling rapid and efficient riveting of multiple pre-treated areas on the hot-formed part 500, forming a stable mechanical connection.

[0085] Through the above-mentioned structural design, the riveting production line can realize continuous automated operation from clamping and positioning of the part 500, induction heating annealing of the rivet point area, to the riveting operation, significantly improving the production cycle and processing consistency, and meeting the performance requirements of the modern automotive industry for the connection of dissimilar materials such as high-strength steel and aluminum alloy. Especially in scenarios where the strength of hot-formed steel reaches 1500MPa and above, this production line can effectively solve problems such as rivet deformation and penetration difficulties caused by the high hardness of the substrate, thereby improving the reliability and appearance quality of the finished product. In addition, this production line also has good scalability. The clamping method of the hot-formed part 500, the number and arrangement of the sensors 400, the riveting path planning and process parameters can be adjusted according to actual process requirements to adapt to the processing requirements of white body parts of different models and structures.

[0086] In some embodiments, the riveting production line further includes a high-frequency power supply 800 and a control system 900. The high-frequency power supply 800 is electrically connected to the inductor 400. The control system 900 is used to communicate signals between the robot 700, the riveting device 600, the positioning and clamping module 200, the inductor mounting module 300, and the high-frequency power supply 800. The high-frequency power supply 800 is electrically connected to the plurality of inductors 400, forming an energy supply for induction heating, and is used to provide a stable, adjustable high-frequency alternating current to the inductors 400, thereby generating eddy currents in the riveting point area and achieving rapid heating and annealing.

[0087] The control system 900 is a centralized control platform that may include a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), an industrial computer, a bus module, and a signal acquisition and processing unit. The control system 900 establishes data interaction with the robot 700, the riveting equipment 600, the positioning and clamping module 200, the sensor installation module 300, and the high-frequency power supply 800 via a communication interface, enabling automated coordinated control of the entire production line. Specifically, the purpose of the control system 900 includes but is not limited to: receiving and processing production task instructions, dispatching the robot 700 to move the riveting equipment 600 to the target position; controlling the positioning and clamping module 200 to perform precise clamping and release of the thermoformed part 500; controlling the sensor installation module 300 to accurately move the sensor 400 to above multiple riveting point areas, and starting the high-frequency power supply 800 for induction heating; controlling the heating time, power and distance between the sensor 400 and the workpiece to ensure that the surface hardness of the riveting point area meets the riveting requirements; after the induction heating is completed, controlling the robot 700 to manipulate the riveting equipment 600 to perform SPR riveting operations; realizing full-process action synchronization and status monitoring, including temperature signals, position feedback, cylinder action status, etc., to ensure reliable operation of the system.

[0088] In some embodiments, both the positioning and clamping module 200 and the sensor installation module 300 are provided with position sensors, and the position sensors are electrically connected to the control system 900 .

[0089] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, the first position sensor 211 provided on the positioning and clamping module 200 is used to monitor the working status of the clamping mechanism in real time. For example, the first position sensor 211 can be arranged near the first connecting plate 202 or in the motion path of the pressure block 205 to sense whether the pressure arm has completed its rotation and pressed the part 500 to a predetermined position. Once clamped, the first position sensor 211 sends a signal to the control system 900, which determines whether the part 500 has been fixed and thus decides whether to allow the subsequent heating and annealing operation to proceed. If the first position sensor 211 detects that the part 500 is not clamped accurately, the control system 900 can prevent the sensor 400 from operating to avoid the risk of damage caused by misoperation.

[0090] Likewise, if Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the position sensor installed on the sensor mounting module 300 is used to detect the actual position of the sensor 400 and determine whether the sensor 400 has moved to the predetermined heating position. For example, the flip-type mounting module 310 is provided with a second position sensor 317, which can be used to determine whether the sensor 400 has been flipped to the heating position; the sliding platform mounting module 320 is provided with a third position sensor 327, which can be installed on the slide rail 321, the slide 322, or the third connecting plate 325, and is used to detect the specific horizontal and vertical position of the sensor 400.

[0091] The signals collected by all position sensors will be synchronously transmitted to the control system 900. The control system 900 performs logical judgment and process coordination on the collected results to ensure that in the entire modification and riveting process, the actions of each component are reasonable and the sequence is correct, avoiding problems such as misheating, missed heating, and misriveting caused by the sensor 400 or the part 500 not being in place, thereby greatly improving the reliability of automated operation and overall production efficiency.

[0092] As an optional working mode, the layout of the composite device in the riveting production line is shown in the figure and works in the following steps:

[0093] The part 500 is placed on the composite device, and the part 500 is positioned and clamped by the positioning and clamping module 200. The first position sensor 211 on the positioning and clamping module 200 is triggered to send a signal that the part 500 is in place; the control system 900 receives the signal that the part 500 is in place, controls the sensor installation module 300 to move the position of the sensor 400, and the sensor 400 reaches the rivet point area. After the sensor 400 is in place, the position sensor on the sensor installation module 300 is triggered to send a signal; the control system 900 receives the signal that the sensor 400 has reached the rivet point area. The control system 900 controls the heating time of the sensors 400 (different material thicknesses correspond to different heating times). After the heating is completed, the sensor installation module 300 controls the sensors 400 to exit the working area. The robot 700 grabs the riveting equipment 600 and moves to the riveting point area for riveting. After the riveting is completed, the robot 700 returns to the origin. The part 500 positioning clamping module 200 opens and the part 500 is taken out.

[0094] The sensor 400 and the sensor mounting module 300 need to accurately achieve material annealing at the local rivet point area of ​​the part 500. The number of sensors 400 (one high-frequency power supply 800 can correspond to multiple sensors 400, depending on the production cycle and cost requirements) needs to be determined according to the number of rivet points at the station (generally, the ratio of the two is 1:1. If the production cycle requirements of the station are low and multiple rivet points are located on the same plane, a turntable or sliding table can be used to achieve a ratio of 1:2 or more). The actual total production time t of the station is t 最小值 =t1+t2*N+t3.

[0095] The heating and annealing time for a single inductor 400 is t1. If the material thickness varies at different modified locations on part 500, t1 is determined based on the material modification time at the location with the thicker thickness. The specific control method is as follows: the position sensor sends a signal upon detecting that inductor 400 is in position. Point I of the PLC control system receives the signal, processes it through a program, and outputs a power signal at point Q. The device is powered on and begins heating inductor 400. When time reaches t1, point Q of the PLC control system loses power, and heating ends. The PLC control system controls the simultaneous heating and annealing of all rivet area locations in the same process. The SMART module model can be selected based on the number of rivet areas, N. The riveting time for a single rivet area location is t2. The total time for other auxiliary actions is t3; N is the number of rivet areas that require local softening at that station.

[0096] The above embodiments are only preferred embodiments for fully illustrating the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present application are within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device, characterized in that: include: Bottom plate (100); A positioning and clamping module (200) comprises a first base (201), a first connecting plate (202), a first cylinder (203) and a first pressing arm (204), wherein the first base (201) is fixed on the base plate (100), the first connecting plate (202) is vertically arranged and connected to the first base (201), the middle portion of the first pressing arm (204) is rotatably connected to the first connecting plate (202), the driving end of the first cylinder (203) is rotatably connected to one end of the first pressing arm (204), the lower side of the other end of the first pressing arm (204) is connected to a pressing block (205), the upper side of the first connecting plate (202) is provided with a supporting block (206) corresponding to the pressing block (205), the first cylinder (203) is configured to drive the first pressing arm (204) to rotate and drive the pressing block (205) to approach or move away from the supporting block (206) to clamp or release the part (500); The sensor mounting module (300) is provided with a plurality of groups and is fixed on the base plate (100). The sensor mounting module (300) is provided with a sensor (400). The sensor mounting module (300) is configured to drive the sensor (400) to approach or move away from a rivet point area on the part (500). The sensor (400) is configured to heat and anneal the rivet point area.

2. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pin seat (207) is provided on one side of the first connecting plate (202), a positioning pin (208) is fixed on the top of the pin seat (207), and the positioning pin (208) protrudes from the top surface of the support block (206).

3. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first upper limit block (209) is provided on the lower side of the first pressing arm (204), and a first lower limit block (210) is fixed on the upper side of the first connecting plate (202). The first upper limit block (209) and the first lower limit block (210) are used to abut and cooperate to limit the extreme position of the first pressing arm (204) during the rotation process.

4. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing blocks (205) and the supporting blocks (206) are correspondingly provided in two groups.

5. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor mounting module (300) is a flip-type mounting module (310), and the flip-type mounting module (310) includes a second base (311), a second connecting plate (312), a second cylinder (313) and a second pressure arm (314), wherein the second base (311) is fixed on the bottom plate (100), the second connecting plate (312) is vertically arranged and connected to the second base (311), the second cylinder (313) is connected to the second connecting plate (312), the middle part of the second pressure arm (314) is rotatably connected to the second connecting plate (312), the driving end of the second cylinder (313) is rotatably connected to one end of the second pressure arm (314), and the other end of the second pressure arm (314) is provided with the sensor (400), and the first cylinder (203) is configured to drive the pressure arm to rotate and drive the sensor (400) to approach or move away from the rivet point area on the part (500).

6. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A second upper limit block (315) is provided on the lower side of the second pressing arm (314), and a second lower limit block (316) is fixed on the upper side of the second connecting plate (312). The second upper limit block (315) and the second lower limit block (316) are used for abutting and cooperating with each other to limit the extreme position of the second pressing arm (314) during the rotation process.

7. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor mounting module (300) is a sliding mounting module (320), and the sliding mounting module (320) includes a slide rail (321), a slide (322), a third base (323), a third cylinder (324), a third connecting plate (325) and a limiting connecting piece (326) connected in sequence. The slide rail (321) is used to drive the slide (322) to move horizontally relative to the base plate (100). The third base (323) is fixed on the slide (322). The third cylinder (324) is fixed on the third base (323) and is used to drive the horizontally arranged third connecting plate (325) to move in a vertical direction. The sensor (400) is fixed on the third connecting plate (325) through the limiting connecting piece (326).

8. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inductor (400) comprises a copper tube (410) and a magnetic conductor (420), wherein the magnetic conductor (420) is a groove structure sleeved on the copper tube (410).

9. The thermoforming part rivet point modification and composite device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two positioning and clamping modules (200) are provided, and the plurality of sensor installation modules (300) are arranged between the two positioning and clamping modules (200).

10. A riveting production line, characterized in that: The invention comprises a thermoformed part rivet point modification composite device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a riveting device (600) and a robot (700), wherein the robot (700) is configured to move the riveting device (600), and the riveting device (600) is configured to rivet the rivet point area after heating and annealing.

11. The riveting production line according to claim 10, characterized in that: The invention also includes a high-frequency power supply (800) and a control system (900), wherein the high-frequency power supply (800) is electrically connected to the sensor (400), and the control system (900) is used for signal interaction between the robot (700), the riveting device (600), the positioning and clamping module (200), the sensor installation module (300) and the high-frequency power supply (800).

12. The riveting production line according to claim 11, characterized in that: The positioning and clamping module (200) and the sensor installation module (300) are both provided with position sensors, and the position sensors are electrically connected to the control system (900).

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