Server assembly system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automatic assembly, in particular to a server assembly system and a control method thereof.The server assembly system comprises a first assembly line and a second assembly line, the first assembly line is used for completing the general assembly procedure of servers, and the second assembly line is used for completing the general assembly procedure of the servers; the second assembly line is used for completing the specific surface assembly process of the server and completing the assembly of the front and back surfaces of the same server in a circulating manner; the first assembly line comprises a feeding platform, an upper shell screw dismounting station table, first overturning equipment, a lower shell screw dismounting station table, a first rotary table, a second rotary table and a pressure maintaining and material taking station table which are connected in sequence. The first rotary table and the second rotary table are both selectively connected with the second assembly line, and the first rotary table and the second rotary table jointly act to selectively lead the server into the second assembly line from the first assembly line. According to the method, the assembly production line layout can be optimized for the servers with similar front and back side processes, the repeated processes are reduced, and the space occupation and the equipment cost are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of automated assembly technology, and in particular to a server assembly system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] As the core infrastructure of information processing systems, servers are widely used in data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence training, and enterprise-level applications. With the rapid development of information technology and the continued increase in data processing demand, server shipments and production scale continue to expand. To meet the requirements of large-scale manufacturing, the server assembly process generally adopts an automated or semi-automated production line. This involves sequentially completing steps such as housing disassembly and assembly, motherboard and power module installation, functional unit mounting, and final testing and packaging at multiple workstations. Through the division of labor and collaboration within the assembly line, production efficiency can be improved while ensuring assembly quality.

[0003] Among existing server products, some models require assembly on both the front and back. The structural design of these servers dictates that core components such as power modules, control units, and protective components must be installed on both sides, making assembly on both sides essential. More importantly, the assembly processes on both sides of these servers often have a high degree of consistency, meaning that multiple processes are almost identical in process sequence, operation methods, and equipment use, or there is significant process overlap. For example, steps such as screw tightening, module fixing, and installation of housing protective parts are required on both sides.

[0004] However, in the prior art, the assembly of the front and back sides is usually designed as two independent production line segments, which are connected in series or in parallel to complete the assembly of the whole machine. Although this method can realize the complete process of both sides, it will increase the overall length of the assembly line and occupy a larger production space. It not only requires the investment of additional production equipment, but also significantly increases the plant area demand and the maintenance cost of the production line. At the same time, due to the existence of a large number of repeated workstations, production organization and scheduling are also more complicated, and the utilization rate of the production line is difficult to be fully improved. In large-scale production scenarios, the waste of resources caused by this redundancy is particularly prominent. Therefore, how to optimize the production line layout for servers with similar processes on the front and back sides, reduce repeated processes, reduce space occupancy and equipment costs, has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to optimize the production line layout for servers with similar processes on the front and back sides, reduce repeated processes, and lower space occupancy and equipment costs, the present application provides a server assembly system and a control method thereof.

[0006] In the first aspect, this application provides the following technical solutions: A server assembly system includes a first assembly line and a second assembly line that can be optionally connected to the first assembly line, the first assembly line is used to complete the general assembly process of the server, and the second assembly line is used to complete the specific surface assembly process of the server and complete the assembly of the front and back sides of the same server in a circular manner; the first assembly line includes a loading platform, an upper shell screw removal station, a first flipping device, a lower shell screw removal station, a first turntable, a second turntable and a pressure-maintaining material picking station connected in sequence; the first turntable and the second turntable can both be optionally connected to the second assembly line, and the first turntable and the second turntable work together to selectively guide the server from the first assembly line to the second assembly line.

[0007] In a specific embodiment, the first assembly line also includes a reverse-side assisted-pulling installation station, a second flipping device, a slide rail installation station, and a front-side assisted-pulling installation station, which are sequentially connected between the second turntable and the pressure-maintaining material-picking station.

[0008] In a specific possible implementation scheme, the head end of the loading platform is also connected to a head end elevator, and the head end elevator is used to transport the pallet to the first assembly line. The loading platform is used to place the server in the pallet to complete the loading.

[0009] In a specific possible implementation scheme, the end of the pressure-maintaining material-retrieving workstation is connected to an end elevator and is provided with a robot. The robot is used to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and the end elevator is used to recycle the pallet.

[0010] In a specific feasible implementation scheme, the second assembly line includes a third assembly line, a third turntable, a fourth turntable and a fourth assembly line connected in sequence; the head end of the third assembly line is connected to the first turntable, and the end of the fourth assembly line is connected to the second turntable; the third turntable and the fourth turntable are used to form a circular closed loop with the third assembly line and the fourth assembly line of the second assembly line, so that the server can continue to assemble the other side along the same second assembly line after completing the assembly of one side.

[0011] In a specific feasible implementation plan, the third assembly line includes a first high-pressure blowing station, an integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, a mainboard installation station, a support column installation station, a front power board installation station, a rear power board installation station, and a power board screw locking station connected in sequence.

[0012] In a specific possible implementation scheme, a front panel and handle installation station is connected between the third turntable and the fourth turntable.

[0013] In a specific feasible implementation plan, the fourth assembly line includes a front DCU installation station, a rear DCU installation station, a front panel protective cover installation station, a tail protective cover installation station, a second high-pressure blowing station, a sealing ring pressing station, a screw locking station and a third flipping device connected in sequence.

[0014] In the second aspect, this application provides the following technical solutions: A control method for a server assembly system, applied to the server assembly system according to the first aspect, comprises: Control the head-end elevator to transport the pallet to the first assembly line, and place the server on the pallet on the loading platform with the front side facing up. After removing the screws from the server's upper shell at the upper shell screw removal station, control the first flipping device to flip the server so that the back side faces up, and remove the screws from the server's lower shell at the lower shell screw removal station. Control the first turntable to guide the server with the back side facing up into the second assembly line, and complete the assembly of the back side of the server through the first high-pressure blowing station, integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, mainboard installation station, support column installation station, back power board installation station, power board screw locking station, front panel and handle installation station, back DCU installation station, tail shield installation station, second high-pressure blowing station, sealing ring press installation station, and screw locking station. Control the third flipping device to flip the server so that the front side faces up, and guide the server facing up back into the second assembly line by controlling the second turntable and the first turntable. The server is then assembled on the front side through the first high-pressure blowing station, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, the mainboard installation station, the support column installation station, the front power board installation station, the power board screw locking station, the front panel and handle installation station, the front DCU installation station, the front panel protective cover installation station, the second high-pressure blowing station, the sealing ring press-fitting station, and the screw locking station. Control the third flipping device to flip the server over again so that the back is facing up, and guide the server with the back facing up into the first assembly line by controlling the second turntable and the first turntable. Perform the back-assisted pull-out installation through the back-assisted pull-out installation station, and flip the server over through the second flipping device so that the front is facing up. The assembly is completed in sequence through the slide rail installation station, the front-assisted pull-out installation station, and the pressure-maintaining material picking station. Control the robot to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and at the same time, the end elevator recovers the pallet to complete the server assembly operation.

[0015] In summary, the beneficial effects of this application include at least: 1) By using the first assembly line for general server assembly processes and the second assembly line for server-specific surface assembly processes, and utilizing the third and fourth turntables to form a closed loop, both the front and back sides of the server can be assembled on the same second assembly line. This design avoids the traditional layout of having two complete assembly lines for both the front and back sides, significantly reducing the overall length of the production line and the occupied production space. It also reduces the amount of equipment and investment costs, achieving efficient utilization of production resources.

[0016] 2) By enabling selective control of the server's introduction between the first and second assembly lines through the first and second turntables, as well as precise control of each workstation, this application optimizes the assembly process and simplifies production scheduling while ensuring the order and quality of assembly on both the front and back sides. After completing assembly on a specific side, the server loops back to the first assembly line for general assembly, with pallet recovery and unloading performed by a robot and elevator, effectively improving production efficiency and reducing manual intervention and operational complexity.

[0017] For servers with similar processes on both sides, an assembly system is proposed. Its technical solution includes: a first assembly line for general assembly processes and a second assembly line for specific surface assembly processes, completing the assembly of both sides of the same server in a circular manner. The first assembly line includes a loading platform, an upper shell screw removal station, a first flipping device, a lower shell screw removal station, a first turntable, a second turntable, and a pressure-maintaining material collection station. The first and second turntables can selectively guide the server to the second assembly line, thereby achieving the recycling of both front and back processes on the same second assembly line. By sharing repeated processes and folding assembly lines to form a circular layout, this solution significantly reduces production line length, space usage, and equipment costs, and optimizes production organization and scheduling, solving the problems of duplicate front and back process duplication, resource waste, and low efficiency in the existing technology.

[0018] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the server assembly system in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure numerals: 1, first assembly line; 11, head end hoist; 12, loading platform; 13, upper shell screw removal station; 14, lower shell screw removal station; 15, reverse side auxiliary pull-out installation station; 16, slide rail installation station; 17, front side auxiliary pull-out installation station; 18, pressure-maintaining material retrieving station; 19, end hoist; 2, second assembly line; 201, first high-pressure blowing station; 202, integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station; 203, mainboard installation station; 204, support column installation station; 205, front power board installation station; 206, reverse power board installation Work station; 207, power board screw locking work station; 208, front panel and handle installation work station; 209, front DCU installation work station; 210, rear DCU installation work station; 211, front panel protective cover installation work station; 212, tail shield installation work station; 213, second high-pressure blowing work station; 214, sealing ring press-fitting work station; 215, screw locking work station; 31, first turning device; 32, second turning device; 33, third turning device; 41, first turntable; 42, second turntable; 43, third turntable; 44, fourth turntable; 5, robot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, rather than to limit the present application. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only some, rather than all, structures related to the present application are shown in the accompanying drawings. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or elements is not limited to the listed steps or elements but may optionally include steps or elements not listed, or may optionally include other steps or elements inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0024] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0025] An embodiment of the present application discloses a server assembly system.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 The server assembly system includes a first assembly line 1 and a second assembly line 2 that can be optionally connected to the first assembly line 1. The first assembly line 1 is used to complete the general assembly process of the server, and the second assembly line 2 is used to complete the specific surface assembly process of the server and complete the assembly of the front and back sides of the same server in a circular manner.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 The first assembly line 1 includes a head end hoist 11, a loading platform 12, an upper shell screw removal station 13, a first flipping device 31, a lower shell screw removal station 14, a first turntable 41, a second turntable 42, a reverse side auxiliary extraction installation station 15, a second flipping device 32, a slide rail installation station 16, a front side auxiliary extraction installation station 17, a pressure-maintaining material collection station 18, and a terminal hoist 19, which are connected in sequence. A manipulator 5 is also provided at the end of the pressure-maintaining material collection station 18. The first turntable 41 and the second turntable 42 are both selectively connected to the second assembly line 2 under control. The first turntable 41 and the second turntable 42 work together to selectively guide the server from the first assembly line 1 to the second assembly line 2. The head end hoist 11 is used to transport pallets to the first assembly line 1, the loading platform 12 is used to place the server on the pallet to complete the loading, the manipulator 5 is used to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and the terminal hoist 19 is used to recycle the pallet. The upper shell screw removal station 13 and the lower shell screw removal station 14 are respectively used to remove the upper shell screws of the server facing up and the lower shell screws facing up. The slide rail installation station 16 is used to install the slide rail when the front side is facing up. The front assisted pull-out installation station 17 and the rear assisted pull-out installation station 15 are used for front and rear assisted pull-out installation respectively.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The second assembly line 2 includes a third assembly line, a third turntable 43, a fourth turntable 44 and a fourth assembly line connected in sequence; the head end of the third assembly line is connected to the first turntable 41, and the end of the fourth assembly line is connected to the second turntable 42. The third turntable 43 and the fourth turntable 44 are used to form a circular closed loop with the third assembly line and the fourth assembly line of the second assembly line 2, so that the server can continue to assemble the other side along the same second assembly line 2 after completing the assembly of one side.

[0029] Specific, combined Figure 1 The third assembly line includes a first high-pressure air blowing station 201, an integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, a mainboard installation station 203, a support column installation station 204, a front power board installation station 205, a rear power board installation station 206, and a power board screw tightening station 207, all connected in sequence. A front panel and handle installation station 208 is connected between the third turntable 43 and the fourth turntable 44. The fourth assembly line includes a front DCU installation station 209, a rear DCU installation station 210, a front panel protective cover installation station 211, a rear protective cover installation station 212, a second high-pressure air blowing station 213, a sealing ring press-fit station 214, a screw tightening station 215, and a third turning device 33, all connected in sequence.

[0030] When the server is facing up, it must pass through the first high-pressure air blowing station 201 of the second assembly line 2, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, the mainboard installation station 203, the support column installation station 204, the rear power board installation station 206, the power board screw locking station 207, the front panel and handle installation station 208, the rear DCU installation station 210, the tail shield installation station 212, the second high-pressure air blowing station 213, the sealing ring press-fitting station 214, the screw locking station 215, and the third turning device 33. It should be noted that at the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, the server facing up only needs to have the liquid level gauge installed; at the front panel and handle installation station 208, the server facing up only needs to have the handle installed; and at the screw locking station 215, the lower shell of the server facing up is screwed.

[0031] When the server is facing up, it must pass through the first high-pressure air blowing station 201 of the second assembly line 2, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, the mainboard installation station 203, the support column installation station 204, the front power board installation station 205, the power board screw tightening station 207, the front panel and handle installation station 208, the front DCU installation station 209, the front panel protective cover installation station 211, the second high-pressure air blowing station 213, the sealing ring press-fitting station 214, the screw tightening station 215, and the third turning device 33. It should be noted that at the front panel and handle installation station 208, the server facing up only needs to install the front panel. At the screw tightening station 215, the upper shell of the server facing up is screwed.

[0032] The present application also discloses a control method for a server assembly system, which is applied to the above-mentioned server assembly system. The method includes: Control the head-end hoist 11 to deliver the pallet to the first assembly line 1, and place the server on the pallet on the loading platform 12 with the front side facing up. After removing the screws from the server's upper shell at the upper shell screw removal station 13, control the first flipping device 31 to flip the server so that the back side faces up, and remove the screws from the server's lower shell at the lower shell screw removal station 14. The first turntable 41 is controlled to guide the server with the rear side facing upward into the second assembly line 2. The server is assembled on the rear side through the first high-pressure blowing station 201, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, the mainboard installation station 203, the support column installation station 204, the rear power board installation station 206, the power board screw locking station 207, the front panel and handle installation station 208, the rear DCU installation station 210, the tail shield installation station 212, the second high-pressure blowing station 213, the sealing ring press-fitting station 214, and the screw locking station 215. The third flipping device 33 is controlled to flip the server so that the front side faces upward. The server facing upward is reintroduced into the second assembly line 2 by controlling the second turntable 42 and the first turntable 41. The server is sequentially assembled through the first high-pressure blowing station 201, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station 202, the mainboard installation station 203, the support column installation station 204, the front power board installation station 205, the power board screw locking station 207, the front panel and handle installation station 208, the front DCU installation station 209, the front panel protective cover installation station 211, the second high-pressure blowing station 213, the sealing ring press-fitting station 214, and the screw locking station 215. Control the third flipping device 33 to flip the server over again so that the back side faces up, and guide the server with the back side facing up into the first assembly line 1 by controlling the second turntable 42 and the first turntable 41. Perform the back-assisted pull-out installation through the back-assisted pull-out installation station 15, and flip the server over through the second flipping device 32 so that the front side faces up. Complete the assembly in sequence through the slide rail installation station 16, the front-assisted pull-out installation station 17 and the pressure-maintaining material picking station 18, control the manipulator 5 to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and at the same time, the end elevator 19 recovers the pallet to complete the server assembly operation.

[0033] In summary, for servers with basically the same assembly process on both sides, a combined layout of a first assembly line 1 and an optionally connectable second assembly line 2 is proposed. The first assembly line 1 is used to complete the general assembly process of the server, including loading, unscrewing the upper and lower shells, flipping, assisted pulling installation, slide rail installation and pressure-maintaining material removal, and cooperates with the head and end elevators 19 and the manipulator 5 to complete the loading, unloading and pallet recovery of the server; the first turntable 41 and the second turntable 42 can selectively guide the server into the second assembly line 2. The second assembly line 2 forms a closed loop through the third assembly line, the third turntable 43, the fourth turntable 44 and the fourth assembly line, which can complete the specific surface assembly processes on the front and back sides of the server, including high-pressure blowing, integrated board and liquid level gauge installation, mainboard installation, support column installation, power board installation and screw locking, front panel and handle installation, DCU installation, front and rear shield installation, sealing ring pressing and screw locking, etc. By controlling the server's cyclic operation on the second assembly line 2, it is possible to first complete reverse assembly, then flip over to complete front assembly, and then return to the first assembly line 1 to complete the slide rail and pull-out installation, as well as pressure-maintained material removal. Finally, the robot 5 and the end hoist 19 complete the unloading and pallet recovery. By sharing the second assembly line 2, this solution achieves the recycling of both front and back processes. This not only reduces the space and equipment costs required to repeatedly set up two complete assembly lines, but also optimizes production organization and scheduling processes, improves assembly efficiency, and thus solves the technical problems of low production efficiency and excessive space occupation caused by repeated front and back processes, excessive production line length, and waste of resources in the existing technology.

[0034] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A server assembly system, characterized in that: It includes a first assembly line and a second assembly line that can be optionally connected to the first assembly line, the first assembly line is used to complete the general assembly process of the server, and the second assembly line is used to complete the specific surface assembly process of the server and complete the assembly of the front and back sides of the same server in a circular manner; the first assembly line includes a loading platform, an upper shell screw removal station, a first flipping device, a lower shell screw removal station, a first turntable, a second turntable and a pressure-maintaining material picking station connected in sequence; the first turntable and the second turntable can both be optionally connected to the second assembly line, and the first turntable and the second turntable work together to selectively import the server from the first assembly line to the second assembly line.

2. The server assembly system according to claim 1, wherein: The first assembly line also includes a reverse-side assisted-pulling installation station, a second flipping device, a slide rail installation station, and a forward-side assisted-pulling installation station, which are sequentially connected between the second turntable and the pressure-maintaining material-taking station.

3. The server assembly system according to claim 2, wherein: The head end of the loading platform is also connected to a head end elevator, and the head end elevator is used to transport the pallet to the first assembly line. The loading platform is used to place the server in the pallet to complete the loading.

4. The server assembly system according to claim 3, wherein: The end of the pressure-maintaining material-taking workstation is connected to an end hoist and is provided with a manipulator. The manipulator is used to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and the end hoist is used to recycle the pallet.

5. The server assembly system according to claim 1, wherein: The second assembly line includes a third assembly line, a third turntable, a fourth turntable and a fourth assembly line connected in sequence; the head end of the third assembly line is connected to the first turntable, and the end of the fourth assembly line is connected to the second turntable; the third turntable and the fourth turntable are used to form a circular closed loop with the third assembly line and the fourth assembly line of the second assembly line, so that the server can continue to assemble the other side along the same second assembly line after completing the assembly of one side.

6. The server assembly system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The third assembly line includes a first high-pressure blowing station, an integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, a mainboard installation station, a support column installation station, a front power board installation station, a back power board installation station and a power board screw locking station connected in sequence.

7. The server assembly system according to claim 5, characterized in that: A front panel and a handle installation station are connected between the third turntable and the fourth turntable.

8. The server assembly system according to claim 5, wherein: The fourth assembly line includes a front DCU installation station, a rear DCU installation station, a front panel protective cover installation station, a tail protective cover installation station, a second high-pressure blowing station, a sealing ring pressing station, a screw locking station and a third flipping device connected in sequence.

9. A control method for a server assembly system, applied to the server assembly system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method comprises: Control the head-end elevator to transport the pallet to the first assembly line, and place the server on the pallet on the loading platform with the front side facing up. After removing the screws from the server's upper shell at the upper shell screw removal station, control the first flipping device to flip the server so that the back side faces up, and remove the screws from the server's lower shell at the lower shell screw removal station. Control the first turntable to guide the server with the back side facing up into the second assembly line, and complete the assembly of the back side of the server through the first high-pressure blowing station, integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, mainboard installation station, support column installation station, back power board installation station, power board screw locking station, front panel and handle installation station, back DCU installation station, tail shield installation station, second high-pressure blowing station, sealing ring press installation station, and screw locking station. Control the third flipping device to flip the server so that the front side faces up, and guide the server facing up back into the second assembly line by controlling the second turntable and the first turntable. The server is then assembled on the front side through the first high-pressure blowing station, the integrated board and liquid level gauge installation station, the mainboard installation station, the support column installation station, the front power board installation station, the power board screw locking station, the front panel and handle installation station, the front DCU installation station, the front panel protective cover installation station, the second high-pressure blowing station, the sealing ring press-fitting station, and the screw locking station. Control the third flipping device to flip the server over again so that the back is facing up, and guide the server with the back facing up into the first assembly line by controlling the second turntable and the first turntable. Perform the back-assisted pull-out installation through the back-assisted pull-out installation station, and flip the server over through the second flipping device so that the front is facing up. The assembly is completed in sequence through the slide rail installation station, the front-assisted pull-out installation station, and the pressure-maintaining material picking station. Control the robot to move the assembled server to the unloading track, and at the same time, the end elevator recovers the pallet to complete the server assembly operation.

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