Locking mechanism and production line applying same

Abstract

The invention discloses a locking mechanism and a production line applying the same, the locking mechanism comprises a spacing adjusting assembly and at least two locking assemblies, the spacing adjusting assembly comprises horizontal driving modules with the number corresponding to that of the locking assemblies, each horizontal driving module is in independent driving connection with one locking assembly, and the horizontal driving modules are connected with the locking assemblies. The driving assembly is used for driving the locking assemblies to be close to or away from each other in the horizontal direction so as to adjust the distance between the locking assemblies. The distance adjusting assembly allows each locking assembly to be independently driven to adjust the distance, so that the screw hole distances of different remote controller models are rapidly adapted, the requirement for equipment replacement or manual adjustment is eliminated, more specifically, automatic locking is achieved through the design, the production efficiency is improved, manpower dependence is reduced, and the production cost is reduced. And meanwhile, diversified production requirements are met through flexible adjustment, and the problems of low production efficiency and insufficient flexibility in the background technology are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated assembly technology, and in particular to a locking mechanism and a production line using the same. Background Technology

[0002] In the modern manufacturing process of electronic products such as air conditioner remote controls, the main core board is commonly fixed using screw fastening. Currently, this process relies heavily on manual operation. Specifically, on the assembly line, the fixture plate containing the remote control's main core board is transferred to the fastening station. Operators must remove the fixture plate from the assembly line and use an electric screwdriver to fasten multiple screws one by one on the main core board. Typically, four screws are fastened to each product, and additional personnel are needed to meet production pace when output is high. This manual operation mode is not only labor-intensive and inefficient, but also makes it difficult to guarantee consistent product quality. Furthermore, most existing automatic screw fastening equipment on the market has a rigid structure design, with a fixed spacing between its fastening mechanisms (such as multiple electric screwdrivers). This means that a single machine can usually only accommodate the screw hole spacing of one product model, failing to meet the flexible production line requirements for quickly switching between different product models. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present invention provide a screw fastening mechanism and a production line using the same, which solves the technical problems of low efficiency in manual screw fastening and the inability of traditional automatic screw fastening equipment to match different product models.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, according to one aspect of this application, an embodiment of the present invention provides a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a spacing adjustment component and at least two locking components. The spacing adjustment component includes horizontal drive modules in a number corresponding to the number of locking components. Each horizontal drive module is independently connected to one of the locking components for driving each locking component to move closer or further away in the horizontal direction to adjust the spacing between them.

[0005] In some embodiments, the horizontal drive module includes a servo motor and a lead screw and nut unit, the servo motor being drivenly connected to the lead screw and nut unit, and the nut of the lead screw and nut unit being fixedly connected to one of the locking components.

[0006] In some embodiments, the lead screw and nut unit includes a trapezoidal lead screw, and the output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the trapezoidal lead screw via a coupling.

[0007] In some embodiments, the horizontal drive module further includes a guide rail slider unit, which includes a first slider and a first guide rail that cooperate with each other. The first slider is fixedly connected to one of the locking components through a height adjustment component to compensate for the installation height difference and ensure the horizontal movement posture of the locking component.

[0008] In some embodiments, the locking assembly includes an electric screwdriver and a lifting drive component, wherein the lifting drive component is driven to connect with the electric screwdriver and is used to drive the electric screwdriver to move in a vertical direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lifting drive component is a cylinder; the locking assembly further includes a mounting bracket, a floating connector, and an electric screwdriver mounting plate; the cylinder body is fixed to the mounting bracket, the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the electric screwdriver mounting plate through the floating connector, and the electric screwdriver is fixed to the electric screwdriver mounting plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the locking assembly further includes a vertical guide unit, which includes a second guide rail and a second slider that cooperate with each other. The second guide rail is fixed to the mounting bracket, and the second slider is fixed to the electric screwdriver mounting plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism further includes a feeder connected to the electric screwdriver of the fastening assembly via an air pipe for supplying screws to the electric screwdriver.

[0012] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism further includes a frame, a mold conveying assembly, and a locking mechanism moving assembly; the mold conveying assembly is disposed on the frame and is used to convey a tooling mold carrying a workpiece along a first horizontal direction; the spacing adjustment assembly is mounted on the frame via the locking mechanism moving assembly, and the locking mechanism moving assembly is used to drive the spacing adjustment assembly and the locking assembly to move in a second horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, a mold protection plate is provided on the frame, and the mold protection plate is located below the tooling mold; the mold protection plate is also provided with a positioning unit for positioning the tooling mold.

[0014] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism further includes a feeding assembly, which includes a feeding fixture and a feeding fixture drive module; the feeding fixture drive module is disposed on the frame and is used to drive the feeding fixture to move; the feeding fixture includes a parallel pneumatic gripper and a gripper rubber block, the gripper rubber block being disposed on the gripper of the parallel pneumatic gripper and used to grip the workpiece that has been locked.

[0015] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism further includes a belt conveyor disposed adjacent to the frame for receiving and conveying workpieces removed by the unloading assembly.

[0016] According to another aspect of this application, an embodiment of the present invention provides a production line, the production line comprising: the above-described locking mechanism; a loading area for placing semi-finished products to be locked; an assembly line for transferring workpieces between the loading area, the locking station, and the unloading area; and a control system communicatively connected to the locking mechanism and the assembly line.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the locking mechanism of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The locking mechanism provided by the present invention includes a spacing adjustment component and at least two locking components. The spacing adjustment component includes horizontal drive modules in a number corresponding to the number of locking components. Each horizontal drive module is independently driven connected to one of the locking components and is used to drive each locking component to move closer or further away from each other in the horizontal direction to adjust the spacing between them.

[0018] This invention solves the technical problems described in the background art by combining a spacing adjustment component and a locking component. Specifically, the background art mentions that manual screw driving is labor-intensive and inefficient, and existing automated equipment with fixed spacing cannot adapt to the production of multiple models. However, the spacing adjustment component in this embodiment allows each locking component to be driven independently to adjust the spacing, thereby quickly adapting to the screw hole spacing of different remote control models, eliminating the need to change equipment or make manual adjustments. More specifically, this design achieves automated locking, improves production efficiency, reduces reliance on manual labor, and meets diverse production needs through flexible adjustment, thus solving the problems of low production efficiency and insufficient flexibility in the background art.

[0019] The production line provided by this invention is designed based on the above-mentioned locking mechanism. Its beneficial effects are the same as those of the above-mentioned locking mechanism, and will not be repeated here.

[0020] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 A top view of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a front view of a horizontal drive module of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A side view of a horizontal drive module of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a horizontal drive module of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a front view of the horizontal drive module on the other side of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a side view of the horizontal drive module on the other side of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a horizontal drive module on the other side of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a front view of a locking component in a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the locking component in a locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a horizontal drive module in a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the horizontal drive module in a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention from another direction; Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 This is a front view of a material unloading fixture in a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the unloading clamp in a locking mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure label explanation: 1. Spacing adjustment assembly; 11. Horizontal drive module; 111. Servo motor; 112. Lead screw and nut unit; 1121. Trapezoidal lead screw; 1122. Coupling; 113. Guide rail and slider unit; 1131. Height adjustment component; 2. Locking assembly; 21. Electric screwdriver; 22. Lifting drive component; 23. Mounting bracket; 24. Floating joint; 25. Electric screwdriver mounting plate; 26. Vertical guide unit; 261. Second guide rail; 262. Second slider; 3. Feeder; 4. Frame; 5. Mold conveying assembly; 6. Locking mechanism moving assembly; 7. Unloading assembly; 71. Unloading fixture; 72. Unloading fixture drive module; 711. Parallel pneumatic gripper; 712. Gripper rubber block; 8. Belt conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the specific embodiments, structures, features, and effects according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. In the following description, different "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments can be combined in any suitable form.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be clearly stated that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence; the terms "vertical," "lateral," "longitudinal," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," "down," "horizontal," etc., indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are merely for the convenience of describing this invention, and do not mean that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or position, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0026] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0027] Example 1 This embodiment provides a locking mechanism, such as Figures 1-15 As shown, the locking mechanism includes a spacing adjustment component 1 and at least two locking components 2. The spacing adjustment component 1 includes horizontal drive modules 11 in number corresponding to the number of locking components 2. Each horizontal drive module 11 is independently connected to one of the locking components 2 for driving each locking component 2 to move closer or further away from each other in the horizontal direction to adjust the spacing between them.

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 13As shown, the connection between the spacing adjustment component 1 and at least two locking components 2 is that each horizontal drive module 11 is independently driven connected to one locking component 2. This means that each locking component 2 is controlled by a dedicated horizontal drive module 11, thereby achieving independent movement in the horizontal direction. The locking components 2 are directly mounted on the moving parts of the horizontal drive module 11, so that the locking components 2 can move closer or further away from each other as the horizontal drive module 11 is driven, thereby adjusting the relative distance between them.

[0029] The main function of the spacing adjustment component 1 is to drive the locking component 2 to move horizontally through the horizontal drive module 11, thereby adjusting the spacing between the locking components 2 to adapt to the changes in screw hole spacing on the main core board of different models of remote controls. The function of the locking component 2 is to directly perform the screw locking operation, including tightening and fixing the screws on the main core board. More specifically, the locking component 2 is responsible for completing the actual locking task, while the spacing adjustment component 1 ensures that the locking component 2 can be quickly adjusted to the correct position to match the specific needs of the product.

[0030] When the spacing adjustment component 1 and the locking component 2 work together, the required screw spacing parameters are first preset according to the remote control model. Then, the horizontal drive module 11 in the spacing adjustment component 1 drives the locking component 2 to move horizontally through the drive mechanism, so that the spacing between the locking components 2 is precisely adjusted to the target value. More specifically, once the spacing is set, the locking components 2 simultaneously or sequentially lock the screws onto the main core board under the command of the control system. The whole process is automated and requires no manual intervention, thus efficiently completing the fixing task. Furthermore, this cooperation allows for quick reconfiguration of the spacing when changing product models, reducing equipment adjustment time.

[0031] This embodiment solves the technical problems described in the background art by cooperating the spacing adjustment component 1 and the locking component 2. Specifically, the background art mentions that manual screw driving is labor-intensive and inefficient, and the fixed spacing of existing automatic equipment cannot adapt to the production of multiple models. However, the spacing adjustment component 1 in this embodiment allows each locking component 2 to be driven independently to adjust the spacing, thereby quickly adapting to the screw hole spacing of different remote control models, eliminating the need to change equipment or make manual adjustments. More specifically, this design realizes automated locking, improves production efficiency, reduces reliance on manpower, and meets diversified production needs through flexible adjustment, thus solving the problems of low production efficiency and insufficient flexibility in the background art.

[0032] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the horizontal drive module 11 includes a servo motor 111 and a lead screw and nut unit 112. The servo motor 111 is drivenly connected to the lead screw and nut unit 112, and the nut of the lead screw and nut unit 112 is fixedly connected to a locking assembly 2.

[0033] The output shaft of the servo motor 111 is directly driven by the lead screw of the lead screw and nut unit 112, enabling the rotational motion of the servo motor 111 to be transmitted to the lead screw and nut unit 112. Simultaneously, the servo motor 111 is fixedly mounted on the equipment base, and the lead screw of the lead screw and nut unit 112 is arranged horizontally. Its nut is fixedly connected to a locking assembly 2, so that when the lead screw rotates, the nut drives the locking assembly 2 to move linearly along the lead screw axis. This design ensures that power is smoothly transmitted from the servo motor 111 to the lead screw and nut unit 112, and the horizontal displacement of the locking assembly 2 is directly controlled by the linear motion of the nut, achieving tight cooperation and precise guidance between the components.

[0034] The servo motor 111 provides controllable rotational power, driving the movement of the lead screw and nut unit 112 by precisely adjusting its speed and angle. The lead screw and nut unit 112 converts the rotational motion of the servo motor 111 into precise linear motion, driving the nut to move through the rotation of the lead screw, thereby adjusting the horizontal position of the locking assembly 2. The servo motor 111, as the power source, ensures efficient and accurate motion, while the lead screw and nut unit 112, as the transmission mechanism, realizes the conversion of motion form, jointly ensuring that the locking assembly 2 can quickly and stably reach the target position, meeting the requirements of spacing adjustment.

[0035] When the servo motor 111 and the lead screw and nut unit 112 work together, the servo motor 111 receives a signal from the control system and begins to rotate, driving the lead screw of the lead screw and nut unit 112 to rotate. The rotation of the lead screw causes the nut to move linearly along its axis, thereby driving the fixedly connected locking assembly 2 to move horizontally. This cooperation can produce a precise displacement control effect, allowing the spacing of the locking assembly 2 to be quickly adjusted to a preset value according to different product models, realizing flexible switching between multiple models of production. Furthermore, this working method improves the automation level of the equipment, reduces manual intervention, and ensures the stability and repeatability of the locking process, thereby improving production efficiency and adaptability.

[0036] In a specific embodiment, such as Figures 3-8 As shown, the lead screw and nut unit 112 includes a trapezoidal lead screw 1121, and the output shaft of the servo motor 111 is connected to the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 through a coupling 1122.

[0037] The trapezoidal lead screw 1121 is a lead screw with a specific trapezoidal thread shape, used to convert rotational motion into linear motion. Simultaneously, the output shaft of the servo motor 111 is directly connected to the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 via a coupling 1122. The coupling 1122, as a connecting component, is responsible for transmitting the rotational power of the servo motor 111 to the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 and can compensate for minor installation deviations between the two, ensuring the continuity of power transmission. More specifically, this design allows the rotation of the servo motor 111 to smoothly drive the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 to rotate, thereby causing the locking assembly 2 to perform precise horizontal displacement through the movement of the nut. This structure improves the reliability and accuracy of the entire transmission system. The thread design of the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 provides stable load capacity and self-locking characteristics, preventing reverse slippage. Meanwhile, the coupling 1122 reduces the impact of vibration and shock on the system, ensuring the positional accuracy and repeatability of the locking assembly 2 when adjusting the spacing. This enhances the flexibility and production efficiency of the equipment to adapt to different product models, while reducing the risk of failure due to component wear or errors.

[0038] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the horizontal drive module 11 also includes a guide rail slider unit 113. The guide rail slider unit 113 includes a first slider and a first guide rail that cooperate with each other. The first slider is fixedly connected to a locking assembly 2 through a height adjustment component 1131 to compensate for the installation height difference and ensure the horizontal movement posture of the locking assembly 2.

[0039] The horizontal drive module 11 further integrates a guide rail slider unit 113, which consists of a first slider and a first guide rail that cooperate with each other. The first slider can slide smoothly along the first guide rail, and at the same time, the first slider is fixedly connected to the locking assembly 2 through a height adjustment component 1131. This connection method allows for fine adjustment of the vertical position of the locking assembly 2 to compensate for any height inconsistencies that may occur during installation, and to ensure that the locking assembly 2 maintains a stable posture without tilting or wobbling during horizontal movement. The height adjustment component 1131 acts as an adjustable connector, which can finely change the height of the locking assembly 2 relative to the guide rail, thereby precisely aligning it with the workpiece surface. The sliding cooperation between the first guide rail and the first slider provides a reliable guiding effect, guiding the locking assembly 2 to move linearly along a predetermined path and avoiding any unnecessary deviation. This structure improves the operational accuracy and reliability of the equipment because the height adjustment component 1131 effectively eliminates alignment difficulties caused by installation errors, ensuring that the locking assembly 2 remains horizontal during the spacing adjustment process. This not only reduces locking failures or product damage caused by improper posture, but also enhances the adaptability and stability of the equipment when quickly switching between different models, thereby improving overall production efficiency and product quality consistency.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the locking assembly 2 includes an electric screwdriver 21 and a lifting drive component 22. The lifting drive component 22 is driven to the electric screwdriver 21 and is used to drive the electric screwdriver 21 to move in the vertical direction.

[0041] The lifting drive component 22 is directly connected to the electric screwdriver 21 to provide a vertical linear driving force, enabling the electric screwdriver 21 to move along the vertical axis. The lifting drive component 22 is fixedly mounted on the support frame of the locking assembly 2, and the electric screwdriver 21 is attached to the motion output end of the lifting drive component 22. Thus, when the lifting drive component 22 is activated, the electric screwdriver 21 performs a precise lifting motion in the vertical direction. More specifically, this direct drive connection ensures the stability and alignment of the electric screwdriver 21 during movement, avoiding positional deviations during the locking operation, thereby ensuring that the electric screwdriver 21 can accurately align with the screw holes on the workpiece. The electric screwdriver 21 serves as the core tool for the locking operation, driving the screwdriver bit to rotate through its internal rotation mechanism to perform the task of tightening or loosening screws. The lifting drive component 22 provides vertical power and controls the lifting motion of the electric screwdriver 21, enabling it to quickly approach or leave the workpiece surface. More specifically, the electric screwdriver 21 is responsible for applying appropriate torque and speed to complete the screw fixing, while the lifting drive component 22 ensures that the electric screwdriver 21 moves flexibly in the vertical direction to achieve effective contact and separation with the workpiece, thereby improving the automation level of the fastening process.

[0042] When the electric screwdriver 21 and the lifting drive unit 22 work together, the lifting drive unit 22 first drives the electric screwdriver 21 downward according to the control command, so that the screwdriver bit of the electric screwdriver 21 is precisely aligned with the screw position on the main core board of the remote control. Then, the electric screwdriver 21 starts the rotation function to screw the screw into the hole. After the screw fastening is completed, the lifting drive unit 22 drives the electric screwdriver 21 upward to return to the waiting position. The effect of this cooperation is to realize the automation and efficiency of the fastening process, greatly reduce manual intervention, and improve production speed. At the same time, by precisely controlling the lifting movement of the electric screwdriver 21, the depth and consistency of screw fastening are ensured, avoiding quality fluctuations caused by manual operation, thereby improving product reliability and equipment adaptability.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the lifting drive component 22 is a cylinder; the locking assembly 2 also includes a mounting bracket 23, a floating joint 24, and an electric screwdriver mounting plate 25; the cylinder body is fixed on the mounting bracket 23, the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 through the floating joint 24, and the electric screwdriver 21 is fixed on the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25.

[0044] Mounting bracket 23 serves as a fixed base to support the cylinder body of the cylinder. Floating connector 24 connects to the piston rod of the cylinder at one end and to the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 at the other. The electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 directly fixes the electric screwdriver 21, thus forming a complete transmission chain from the cylinder to the electric screwdriver 21. Mounting bracket 23 provides a stable mounting point to ensure the cylinder's position is fixed. Floating connector 24, as an intermediate connector, allows for some flexibility. The electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 carries the electric screwdriver 21 and moves vertically with the cylinder's movement. This layout ensures the coordination and alignment of all components during movement. The function of mounting bracket 23 is to provide a robust support foundation for the cylinder, ensuring the entire lifting drive component 22 remains stable and does not wobble during operation. The function of floating connector 24 is to connect the cylinder piston rod and the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25, compensating for potential installation deviations through its flexible design and reducing impact and vibration transmission. The function of electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 is to serve as a fixed platform for the electric screwdriver 21, ensuring the electric screwdriver 21's accurate position and consistent posture during lifting.

[0045] After the cylinder is started, the piston rod transmits thrust or pull force to the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 through the floating joint 24, driving the electric screwdriver 21 to move up and down. The floating joint 24 absorbs minor deviations during the process to prevent jamming, and the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 ensures that the electric screwdriver 21 moves along a straight trajectory. The effect of this cooperation is to achieve the smoothness and accuracy of the lifting and lowering of the electric screwdriver 21, reduce locking failure or component wear caused by mechanical errors, and improve the flexibility of the equipment to adapt to different workpieces.

[0046] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the locking assembly 2 also includes a vertical guide unit 26, which includes a second guide rail 261 and a second slider 262 that cooperate with each other. The second guide rail 261 is fixed on the mounting bracket 23, and the second slider 262 is fixed on the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25.

[0047] The locking assembly 2 includes a vertical guide unit 26, which consists of a cooperating second guide rail 261 and a second slider 262. The second guide rail 261 is securely mounted on the mounting bracket 23 to provide a fixed guiding reference, while the second slider 262 is directly fixed to the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 and can slide smoothly along the second guide rail 261. More specifically, this arrangement ensures that when the lifting drive component 22 pushes the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25, the second slider 262 strictly follows the vertical path defined by the second guide rail 261, thereby providing precise linear guidance for the lifting process of the electric screwdriver 21.

[0048] This embodiment enhances the stability and accuracy of the electric screwdriver 21 when it moves vertically, effectively preventing tilting, shaking or positional shift that may occur during the lifting and lowering process, and ensuring that the screwdriver bit can always be accurately aligned with the screw position.

[0049] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the locking mechanism also includes a feeder 3, which is connected to the electric screwdriver of the locking assembly 2 via an air pipe and is used to supply screws to the electric screwdriver.

[0050] The core function of the feeder 3 is to continuously and automatically deliver screws to the bit position of the electric screwdriver 21. More specifically, the air pipe serves as a connecting channel, allowing the screws, which are sorted and arranged inside the feeder 3, to be precisely blown to the end of the electric screwdriver 21 by airflow, thus preparing the material for each fastening operation. This configuration achieves complete automation of the screw supply process, completely replacing the manual screw installation step. This not only significantly improves the overall speed of the fastening operation and ensures the continuity of the production cycle, but also effectively avoids feeding errors or interruptions caused by human factors. Furthermore, the automated feeding method, combined with the adjustable-gap fastening mechanism, allows for seamless material supply even when the equipment quickly switches between different product models, greatly improving the overall production efficiency and flexible production capabilities of the equipment, fundamentally solving the problems of reliance on manual labor and low efficiency mentioned in the background technology.

[0051] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the locking mechanism further includes a frame 4, a mold conveying assembly 5, and a locking mechanism moving assembly 6; the mold conveying assembly 5 is disposed on the frame 4 and is used to convey the tooling mold carrying the workpiece along the first horizontal direction; the spacing adjustment assembly 1 is mounted on the frame 4 through the locking mechanism moving assembly 6, and the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 is used to drive the spacing adjustment assembly 1 and the locking assembly 2 to move in the second horizontal and vertical directions.

[0052] The frame 4 serves as the supporting foundation for the entire equipment. The mold conveying assembly 5 is directly mounted on the frame 4 and is responsible for conveying the tooling mold carrying the workpiece along the first horizontal direction. The locking mechanism moving assembly 6 is also fixedly mounted on the frame 4. The spacing adjustment assembly 1 is connected to the frame 4 through the locking mechanism moving assembly 6. The locking mechanism moving assembly 6 drives the spacing adjustment assembly 1 and the locking assembly 2 to move in the second horizontal and vertical directions. This layout allows the mold conveying assembly 5 and the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 to work together on the frame 4. The mold conveying assembly 5 is usually arranged along a horizontal axis to convey materials, while the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 moves the locking mechanism along another horizontal and vertical axis, thereby ensuring that the components cooperate with each other in space to achieve continuous material flow and precise positioning of the locking operation. The frame 4 provides stable structural support for the entire locking mechanism, connecting components such as the mold conveying assembly 5 and the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 into a whole, ensuring the rigidity and reliability of the equipment during operation. The mold conveying assembly 5 automatically conveys the tooling mold carrying the workpiece along the first horizontal direction, accurately delivering the workpiece to the locking station and subsequent material handling point, realizing automated material flow. The locking mechanism moving assembly 6 drives the spacing adjustment assembly 1 and the locking assembly 2 to move in the second horizontal and vertical directions, enabling the locking mechanism to flexibly adjust its position to adapt to the locking requirements of different workpieces, improving operational flexibility and accuracy.

[0053] In this embodiment, the mold conveying assembly 5 first transports the tooling mold carrying the workpiece along the first horizontal direction to the preset locking point. Then, the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 drives the spacing adjusting assembly 1 and the locking assembly 2 to move in the second horizontal and vertical directions according to control commands, so that the locking assembly 2 is precisely aligned with the screw position on the workpiece for locking operation. After locking is completed, the mold conveying assembly 5 continues to send the workpiece to the unloading point, and the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 resets to wait for the next operation. This coordination achieves a high degree of automation and coordination in the entire locking process, greatly improving production efficiency and equipment adaptability, reducing manual handling and positioning time, and ensuring the stability and consistency of locking quality.

[0054] In a specific embodiment, a mold protection plate is provided on the frame 4, and the mold protection plate is located below the tooling mold; the mold protection plate is also provided with a positioning unit for positioning the tooling mold.

[0055] A mold protection plate is fixedly installed on the frame 4. This plate is positioned directly below the tooling mold to provide direct support. The mold protection plate also integrates a positioning unit, which engages with the corresponding part of the tooling mold via mechanical structures such as pins or blocks. This ensures the tooling mold is precisely positioned within a predetermined location during placement and transport. This design allows the mold protection plate to not only serve as a basic support but also actively guide and fix the tooling mold through the positioning unit, preventing it from shifting or shaking during operation. This embodiment improves the operational safety and product quality consistency of the equipment because the mold protection plate effectively buffers the downward pressure or positional deviation that may occur during the locking mechanism, preventing damage or scratches to the remote control core board during locking. Simultaneously, the positioning unit ensures that the tooling mold can be quickly and accurately positioned at the locking station each time, reducing locking failures or repeated adjustments due to misalignment, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of the production process.

[0056] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the locking mechanism further includes a feeding assembly 7, which includes a feeding fixture 71 and a feeding fixture drive module 72. The feeding fixture drive module 72 is mounted on the frame 4 and is used to drive the feeding fixture 71 to move. The feeding fixture 71 includes a parallel pneumatic gripper 711 and a gripper rubber block 712. The gripper rubber block 712 is mounted on the gripper of the parallel pneumatic gripper 711 and is used to grip the workpiece that has been locked.

[0057] The unloading fixture drive module 72 is fixedly mounted on the frame 4 and directly driven by the unloading fixture 71, enabling the unloading fixture drive module 72 to move the unloading fixture 71 within space. The unloading fixture 71 itself consists of a parallel pneumatic gripper 711 and gripper rubber blocks 712. The gripper rubber blocks 712 are directly disposed at the ends of the grippers of the parallel pneumatic gripper 711. With this arrangement, when the unloading fixture drive module 72 is activated, the entire unloading fixture 71 can be precisely guided to the target position, and the parallel pneumatic gripper 711 performs the gripping operation by contacting the workpiece through the gripper rubber blocks 712. The flexible design of the gripper rubber blocks 712 plays a buffering role during the gripping process, preventing damage to the workpiece surface. The function of the unloading fixture 71 is to realize the opening and closing action of the gripper through the parallel pneumatic gripper 711, so as to reliably grasp or release the locked workpiece. The gripper rubber block 712 uses its soft material to provide cushioning and anti-slip function, avoiding scratches or pressure damage to the workpiece during the clamping process. The function of the unloading fixture drive module 72 is to provide multi-axis movement capability, drive the unloading fixture 71 to move in the horizontal or vertical direction, so that it can accurately grasp the workpiece from the locking station and transport it to the designated unloading point, such as the conveyor belt.

[0058] When the unloading fixture 71 and the unloading fixture drive module 72 work together, the unloading fixture drive module 72 first drives the unloading fixture 71 to move above the locked workpiece according to the control signal. Then, the parallel pneumatic gripper 711 moves to clamp the workpiece through the gripper rubber block 712. After that, the unloading fixture drive module 72 moves again to transport the workpiece to the belt conveyor or other conveying equipment. Finally, the parallel pneumatic gripper 711 releases the workpiece. The effect of this cooperation is to realize the complete automation of the unloading process, greatly reduce manual intervention and handling time, improve the continuity and efficiency of the production line, and at the same time, due to the protective function of the gripper rubber block 712, the workpiece avoids the risk of damage during the transfer process, ensuring the consistency of product quality.

[0059] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the locking mechanism also includes a belt conveyor 8, which is disposed adjacent to the frame 4 and is used to receive and transport the workpiece taken out by the unloading assembly 7.

[0060] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism further includes a conveyor belt 8, which is arranged adjacent to the frame 4 to receive the locked workpieces from the unloading assembly 7 and automatically transport these workpieces to subsequent processes through its continuous operation. More specifically, the conveyor belt 8 is spatially closely integrated with the unloading assembly 7. When the unloading assembly 7 places a workpiece onto the surface of the conveyor belt 8, the conveyor belt 8 immediately starts its conveying action, ensuring that the workpiece flows smoothly and uninterruptedly to the next workstation. This design significantly improves the automation level and process continuity of the entire production system because it eliminates the manual transfer of workpieces, reduces production interruptions and waiting time, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

[0061] The working process of the locking mechanism provided in this embodiment begins with the tooling mold carrying the semi-finished remote control being placed on the mold conveying assembly 5. The mold conveying assembly 5 then conveys the tooling mold to the locking station along the first horizontal direction. During this process, the mold protection plate and its positioning unit on the frame 4 ensure that the tooling mold is accurately and stably positioned. At the same time, according to the model of the remote control to be processed, the spacing adjustment assembly 1 starts to operate. The servo motor 111 in its horizontal drive module 11 starts and drives the trapezoidal lead screw 1121 to rotate through the coupling 1122, thereby driving the nut of the lead screw nut unit 112 to move. Since each locking assembly 2 is independently connected to a horizontal drive module 11 through the guide rail slider unit 113 and its height adjustment component 1131, the horizontal spacing between all electric screwdrivers 21 can be accurately adjusted to the preset value. Then, the locking mechanism moving assembly 6 starts to work, driving the entire spacing adjustment assembly 1 and the locking assemblies 2 installed on it to move in the second horizontal and vertical directions for coarse positioning. Then, the lifting drive component of each locking assembly 2 moves. Specifically, 22 involves the cylinder starting to operate. The piston rod of the cylinder pushes the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25 to descend smoothly along the second guide rail 261 of the vertical guide unit 26 via the floating joint 24. The electric screwdriver 21, fixed on the electric screwdriver mounting plate 25, moves downward accordingly. During the descent of the electric screwdriver 21, the feeder 3 continuously supplies screws to the screwdriver bit of the electric screwdriver 21 through the air pipe. When the screwdriver bit of the electric screwdriver 21 contacts the screw hole on the workpiece surface, the electric screwdriver 21 starts to rotate and screws in the screw. After locking, the lifting drive component 22 drives the electric screwdriver 21 to rise and reset. After the screws are fastened, the mold conveying assembly 5 delivers the tooling mold carrying the finished product to the material picking point. At this time, the unloading clamping drive module 72 drives the unloading clamping fixture 71 to move above the workpiece. The parallel pneumatic gripper 711 of the unloading clamping fixture 71 moves to steadily grasp the workpiece that has been fastened through the gripper rubber block 712 set on its gripper. Then the unloading clamping drive module 72 transports the workpiece and places it on the adjacent conveyor belt 8. Finally, the conveyor belt 8 automatically transports the workpiece to the subsequent process, thus forming a complete and continuous automated production cycle.

[0062] Example 2 This embodiment provides a production line, which includes: the locking mechanism described in Embodiment 1; a loading area for placing semi-finished products to be locked; an assembly line for transferring workpieces between the loading area, the locking station, and the unloading area; and a control system that is communicatively connected to the locking mechanism and the assembly line.

[0063] The production line provided in this embodiment integrates the screw fastening mechanism described in Embodiment 1, achieving full automation of the screw fastening process for the remote control main core board, thereby significantly improving overall operating efficiency. More specifically, the spacing adjustment component of the fastening mechanism can quickly adjust the horizontal distance between the fastening components, flexibly adapting to the screw hole spacing requirements of different remote control models. When the semi-finished product to be fastened is placed on the assembly line in the loading area, the assembly line automatically transfers the workpiece to the fastening station. Under the coordination of the control system, the fastening mechanism accurately completes the screw fastening, and then the workpiece is transported to the unloading area. This seamless process greatly reduces manual handling and manual operation. This automated integration not only reduces labor intensity and labor costs but also improves the flexibility and response speed of the production line, eliminating the need to stop the line or replace equipment when switching product models. This effectively solves the problems of low production efficiency and insufficient flexibility, while ensuring the stability and consistency of product quality.

[0064] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a spacing adjustment component and at least two locking components. The spacing adjustment component includes horizontal drive modules in a number corresponding to the number of locking components. Each horizontal drive module is independently connected to one of the locking components and is used to drive each locking component to move closer or further away in the horizontal direction to adjust the spacing between them.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal drive module includes a servo motor and a lead screw and nut unit. The servo motor is driven by the lead screw and nut unit, and the nut of the lead screw and nut unit is fixedly connected to a locking assembly.

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lead screw and nut unit includes a trapezoidal lead screw, and the output shaft of the servo motor is connected to the trapezoidal lead screw via a coupling.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The horizontal drive module also includes a guide rail slider unit, which includes a first slider and a first guide rail that cooperate with each other. The first slider is fixedly connected to one of the locking components through a height adjustment component to compensate for the installation height difference and ensure the horizontal movement posture of the locking component.

5. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly includes an electric screwdriver and a lifting drive component. The lifting drive component is connected to the electric screwdriver and is used to drive the electric screwdriver to move in the vertical direction.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lifting drive component is a cylinder; the locking assembly also includes a mounting bracket, a floating connector, and an electric screwdriver mounting plate; the cylinder body is fixed on the mounting bracket, the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the electric screwdriver mounting plate through the floating connector, and the electric screwdriver is fixed on the electric screwdriver mounting plate.

7. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking assembly further includes a vertical guide unit, which includes a second guide rail and a second slider that cooperate with each other. The second guide rail is fixed on the mounting bracket, and the second slider is fixed on the electric screwdriver mounting plate.

8. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism also includes a feeder, which is connected to the electric screwdriver of the locking assembly via an air pipe for supplying screws to the electric screwdriver.

9. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism further includes a frame, a mold conveying assembly, and a locking mechanism moving assembly; the mold conveying assembly is disposed on the frame and is used to convey a tooling mold carrying a workpiece along a first horizontal direction; the spacing adjustment assembly is mounted on the frame through the locking mechanism moving assembly, and the locking mechanism moving assembly is used to drive the spacing adjustment assembly and the locking assembly to move in a second horizontal and vertical direction.

10. The locking mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The frame is provided with a mold protection plate, which is located below the tooling mold; the mold protection plate is also provided with a positioning unit for positioning the tooling mold.

11. The locking mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking mechanism further includes a feeding assembly, which includes a feeding fixture and a feeding fixture drive module. The feeding fixture drive module is mounted on the frame and is used to drive the feeding fixture to move. The feeding fixture includes a parallel pneumatic gripper and a gripper rubber block. The gripper rubber block is mounted on the gripper of the parallel pneumatic gripper and is used to grip the workpiece that has been locked.

12. The locking mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that, The locking mechanism also includes a belt conveyor, which is disposed adjacent to the frame and is used to receive and transport the workpiece taken out by the unloading assembly.

13. A production line, characterized in that, The production line includes: The locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1-12; The loading area is used to place semi-finished products to be locked. An assembly line is used to transfer workpieces between the loading area, the fastening station, and the unloading area; The control system is communicatively connected to the locking mechanism and the production line.

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