Buffer hinge assembling device and machining method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hinge machining, and discloses a buffer hinge assembling device which comprises a sliding mechanism, a clamping assembly and a forming part, a sliding piece is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism, and the clamping assembly is connected to the top of the end face of the sliding piece; the clamping end of the clamping assembly is detachably connected with two inclined and symmetrically-arranged buffer plates, the two buffer plates are used for clamping the buffer air cylinder, the bottom of the end face of the sliding piece is vertically connected with two symmetrically-arranged pressing columns, and the forming part is arranged below the outer sides of the pressing columns; the flexible buffer plate is introduced into the clamping assembly, the flexible buffer plate is accurately embedded between the buffer air cylinder and the hinge base limiting part in the stamping and bending stage, direct rigid contact between metal and the soft air cylinder is avoided, the risks of deformation, cracking or performance degradation caused by extrusion and impact are remarkably reduced, the buffer plate serves as an energy absorption medium, and the service life of the buffer plate is prolonged. Instantaneous impact energy during bending forming is effectively absorbed, and the assembling quality of the hinge is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hinge processing, and more particularly to a buffer hinge assembly device and its processing method. Background Technology

[0002] Soft-close hinges are widely used in furniture, home appliances, and various door structures requiring soft-close functionality. Their core components typically include a hinge base and a soft-close cylinder. The soft-close cylinder, as the key component providing damping force, is generally made of lightweight metal, resulting in a relatively light overall weight. During the production and assembly of soft-close hinges, the soft-close cylinder often needs to be precisely positioned and fixed to the hinge base. The hinge base is usually formed using a metal stamping process and its structure includes protruding limiting parts for limiting or clamping the soft-close cylinder.

[0003] However, in existing assembly processes, the hinge base is typically formed by directly stamping or bending both ends to create a covering fixation for the buffer cylinder. Since the buffer cylinder itself lacks high strength and rigidity, it is highly susceptible to deformation, displacement, or even breakage during stamping or bending due to localized stress concentration or mechanical extrusion, severely impacting product yield and the consistency of buffering performance. Furthermore, if an effective buffer or transition structure is lacking during stamping, the rigid contact between the metal base and the buffer cylinder can generate impact noise, further reducing assembly quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an assembly device and matching processing method that can effectively protect the buffer cylinder during the bending and forming process of the hinge base and prevent it from failing due to external force damage, so as to achieve high-precision and high-reliability automatic assembly of the buffer hinge. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a buffer hinge assembly device and its processing method to solve the problem that in the existing assembly device, during the processing of the hinge base, the buffer cylinder itself does not have high strength and rigidity, and is therefore prone to deformation, displacement, or even breakage due to local stress concentration or mechanical extrusion caused by the stamping and forming of the hinge base. The specific technical solution is as follows: A buffer hinge assembly device is used to assemble a buffer cylinder onto a hinge base. The hinge base has a protruding limiting portion to fix the buffer cylinder. The device includes a sliding mechanism, a clamping assembly, and a forming part. A sliding member is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism. The clamping assembly is connected to the top end face of the sliding member. Two inclined and symmetrically arranged buffer plates are detachably connected to the clamping end of the clamping assembly. The two buffer plates are used to clamp the buffer cylinder. Two symmetrically arranged pressure columns are vertically connected to the bottom end face of the sliding member. The forming part is located below and outside the pressure columns. The device is configured to transport the buffer cylinder to the hinge base via the sliding mechanism, and then, by lifting the forming part, bend both ends of the hinge base, thereby fixing the buffer cylinder with the limiting portion of the hinge base. During the lifting of the limiting portion, the buffer plates actively or passively detach from the clamping assembly and are placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting portion.

[0005] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the clamping assembly includes a gripper and a detection switch. The gripper clamps the buffer plate, and the detection switch is connected to the end face of the slider. The detection switch is signal-connected to the gripper and configured such that when both ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the detection switch is triggered and an electrical signal is generated. The gripper responds to the electrical signal of the detection switch and changes from a clamping state to a released state.

[0006] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the clamping assembly includes a connector, the end of which is provided with a insertion groove, and the buffer plate is inserted into the insertion groove.

[0007] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the buffer plate is made of rubber, EVA or TPU, and the buffer plate has a flat or spherical connecting end for cooperating with the gripper or the insertion groove.

[0008] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the two ends of the hinge base form bent ends after bending, and the buffer plate placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part is not higher than the bent ends.

[0009] As an improvement to the above technical solution, a bearing part is fixed at the center of the top surface of the hinge base, and a number of rollers arranged side by side are rotatably connected to the top surface of the bearing part. The rollers are used to support the buffer cylinder.

[0010] As an improvement to the above technical solution, the side of the roller is provided with an arc-shaped groove that matches the side of the cylinder body of the buffer cylinder.

[0011] A processing method applied to the above-mentioned buffer hinge assembly device includes the following steps: S1. Use clamping components to clamp the buffer cylinder; S2. Start the sliding mechanism and drive the sliding component to move, so that the buffer cylinder moves to the hinge base. The bearing part on the hinge base supports the buffer cylinder and continues to drive the sliding component until the buffer cylinder and the pressure column reach the predetermined position. S3, Lifting and forming part: During the lifting process, the forming part directly acts on both ends of the hinge base. Under the limit of the pressure column, both ends of the hinge base bend. S41. After both ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the detection switches at both ends of the hinge base will be triggered, the grippers will change from a clamping state to a released state, the buffer plate will disengage from the grippers, and after both ends of the hinge base are bent to 90°, the buffer plate will be placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part of the hinge base; or S42. After the two ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the limiting part of the hinge base will first abut against the outer side of the buffer plate. The two ends of the hinge base continue to bend, and the buffer plate continues to be stressed until it separates from the gripper. After the two ends of the hinge base are bent to 90°, the buffer plate is placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part of the hinge base.

[0012] As an improvement to the above technical solution, in step S41 or step S42, the bearing part of the hinge base carries and supports the buffer cylinder, while the limiting parts at both ends of the hinge base limit the buffer cylinder from the top sides of the buffer cylinder, thereby completing the fixation of the buffer cylinder.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By introducing a flexible buffer plate (such as rubber, EVA or TPU material) into the clamping assembly and precisely embedding it between the buffer cylinder and the hinge base limiting part during the stamping and bending stage, direct rigid contact between the metal and the soft cylinder is avoided, significantly reducing the risk of deformation, cracking or performance degradation caused by extrusion and impact. The buffer plate, as an energy-absorbing medium, effectively absorbs the instantaneous impact energy during bending and forming, thus improving the assembly quality of the hinge.

[0014] The sliding mechanism and clamping components work together to achieve precise delivery and positioning of the cylinder; the bearing part integrates a rolling support structure with an arc groove to realize automatic centering and low-friction sliding of the cylinder; the pressure column and forming part cooperate to ensure symmetrical and stable bending action, comprehensively improving assembly repeatability and product consistency.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Of course, implementing any product or method of this application does not necessarily require achieving all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, 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 these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge base of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding component of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping assembly of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support portion of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is another structural schematic diagram of the clamping assembly of the present invention.

[0023] In the figure: 1. Sliding mechanism; 2. Sliding component; 3. Buffer cylinder; 4. Hinge base; 5. Buffer plate; 7. Clamping assembly; 8. Pressure column; 9. Forming part; 10. Bearing part; 11. Roller; 12. Detection switch; 13. Connecting component; 41. Limiting part; 71. Gripper. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the existing assembly process of manufacturing the hinge base 4, the buffer cylinder 3 itself lacks high strength and rigidity. Therefore, it is highly susceptible to deformation, displacement, or even breakage due to localized stress concentration or mechanical compression caused by the stamping and forming of the hinge base 4. Please refer to... Figure 1-6 The present invention provides some embodiments to solve the above problems, specifically including a sliding mechanism 1, a clamping assembly 7 and a forming part 9; Among them, a sliding member 2 is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism 1. The sliding member 2 can reciprocate along a preset path under the drive of the drive unit (such as a cylinder, servo motor, etc.). The clamping assembly 7 is connected to the top of the end face of the sliding member 2. The clamping end of the clamping assembly 7 is detachably connected to two buffer plates 5 that are inclined and symmetrically arranged. The two buffer plates 5 are used to clamp the buffer cylinder 3. The bottom of the end face of the sliding member 2 is vertically connected to two symmetrically arranged pressure columns 8. The forming part 9 is located on the lower outer side of the pressure column 8. Specifically, the position of the pressure column 8 corresponds to the final bending area of ​​the hinge base 4. The configuration involves transporting the buffer cylinder 3 to the hinge base 4 via the sliding mechanism 1, and then bending both ends of the hinge base 4 via the lifting forming part 9, thereby fixing the buffer cylinder 3 with the limiting part 41 of the hinge base 4. During the lifting of the limiting part 41, the buffer plate 5 actively or passively detaches from the clamping assembly 7 and is placed between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41. It can be understood that the clamping assembly 7 first clamps the buffer cylinder 3, and the sliding mechanism 1 drives the sliding member 2 to transport the buffer cylinder 3 to the predetermined installation position of the hinge base 4. Subsequently, the forming part 9 lifts upward, and under the limiting cooperation of the pressure column 8, forces both ends of the hinge base 4 to bend inward synchronously, so that the limiting part 41 on it gradually covers and finally clamps the buffer cylinder 3, thereby completing the fixing.

[0026] Specifically, during the bending process of the hinge base 4, the buffer plate 5 will actively or passively detach from the clamping assembly 7 according to a preset mechanism and fall into the gap between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41 of the hinge base 4. Since the buffer plate 5 is made of flexible material, it can play a buffering and isolation role during the bending and forming stage, effectively avoiding rigid collision between the metal limiting part 41 and the buffer cylinder 3.

[0027] During the critical stage of bending and forming the hinge base 4, the buffer plate 5 directly intervenes between the buffer cylinder 3 and the metal limiting part 41, significantly reducing the contact stress and preventing the buffer cylinder 3 from deforming, cracking, or deteriorating in performance due to excessive pressure.

[0028] Regarding the active detachment of the buffer plate 5 from the clamping assembly 7: The clamping assembly 7 includes a gripper 71 and a detection switch 12. The gripper 71 clamps the buffer plate 5. The detection switch 12 is connected to the end face of the slider 2 and is signal-connected to the gripper 71, forming a closed-loop feedback mechanism. This mechanism is configured such that when both ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to a predetermined angle, the detection switch 12 is triggered, generating an electrical signal. The gripper 71 responds to the electrical signal from the detection switch 12, changing from a clamping state to a released state. Specifically, when both ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to a predetermined angle (e.g., close to 90°, specifically 70°-80°) under the lifting action of the forming part 9, the bent end of the hinge base 4 or its limiting part 41 triggers the detection switch 12, causing it to output an electrical signal. This electrical signal is transmitted to the drive unit (such as a solenoid valve or servo controller) of the gripper 71, thereby controlling the gripper 71 to quickly switch from a clamping state to a released state, releasing the constraint on the buffer plate 5. The detection switch 12 can be a photoelectric switch or a proximity switch.

[0029] By setting the detection switch 12, it is ensured that the buffer plate 5 is only released when the limiting part 41 is about to complete the covering action, so as to avoid premature detachment leading to positioning failure, or release too late affecting the bending process.

[0030] Regarding the passive detachment of the buffer plate 5 from the clamping assembly 7: The clamping assembly 7 includes a connector 13, the end of which is provided with an insertion groove. The buffer plate 5 is inserted into the insertion groove. Specifically, in this embodiment, considering that the buffer cylinder 3 used in the buffer hinge is usually lightweight and has high positioning accuracy requirements during assembly but requires a small clamping force, the clamping assembly 7 adopts a simplified design: the buffer plate 5 can be directly inserted into the insertion groove at the end of the connector 13 without the need for an additional active release mechanism. Understandably, during the stamping stage of the hinge base 4, when the forming part 9 lifts upward and drives the two ends of the hinge base 4 to bend inward, the protruding limiting part 41 provided on it will gradually approach and eventually squeeze the outer side of the already positioned buffer plate 5. Since the buffer plate 5 is made of soft material (such as rubber, EVA or TPU), under the continuous force applied by the limiting part 41, the friction or interference fit between its insertion end and the insertion groove is overcome, and the buffer plate 5 is forced to disengage from the insertion groove and fall into the gap between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41.

[0031] This embodiment cleverly utilizes the natural mechanical force during the stamping process to achieve the passive release of the buffer plate 5, eliminating the need for a complex active release structure or additional control signals. This not only simplifies the overall structure of the device and reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, but also ensures the synchronization of the release action and the bending process.

[0032] Preferably, the buffer plate 5 is made of one of rubber, EVA or TPU, and the buffer plate 5 has a flat or spherical connecting end for engaging with the gripper 71 or the insertion slot.

[0033] During the assembly of the buffer hinge, the hinge base 4 is usually bent inward at both ends by a stamping process to form the bent ends for covering and limiting the buffer cylinder 3. If the buffer plate 5 is higher than the bent ends, it will hinder the hinge from fitting and installing with other components (such as door panels, brackets or housings), resulting in abnormal assembly gaps or failure to close. Exposed or protruding buffer plates 5 will disrupt the consistency of the hinge surface. Therefore, the two ends of the hinge base 4 form bent ends after bending, and the buffer plate 5 placed between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41 is not higher than the bent ends.

[0034] In the automated assembly process of the buffer hinge, the buffer cylinder 3 needs to be precisely transported and placed in the designated position on the hinge base 4. However, the buffer cylinder 3 is usually a cylindrical structure with a smooth surface. If it is placed directly on the hinge base 4, which is flat or without a positioning structure, the following problems can easily occur: the cylindrical cylinder is prone to rolling and shifting during transportation or stamping, resulting in misalignment with the limiting part 41 and affecting the final fixing effect. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a support structure that can stably support the buffer cylinder 3, reduce friction, self-align, and avoid damage. In this regard, the present invention provides some embodiments: Specifically, a bearing part 10 is fixed at the center of the top surface of the hinge base 4. Several rollers 11 arranged side by side are rotatably connected to the top surface of the bearing part 10. The rollers 11 are used to support the buffer cylinder 3. The side of the rollers 11 is provided with an arc-shaped groove that matches the side of the cylinder body of the buffer cylinder 3. That is, the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped groove is basically the same as the outer diameter of the buffer cylinder 3. Even if the buffer plate 5 does not clamp and support the buffer cylinder 3, the buffer cylinder 3 will not shift.

[0035] A processing method applied to the above-mentioned buffer hinge assembly device includes the following steps: S1. Clamp the buffer cylinder 3 using clamping assembly 7; S2. Start the sliding mechanism 1 and drive the sliding member 2 to move, so that the buffer cylinder 3 moves to the hinge base 4. The bearing part 10 on the hinge base 4 supports the buffer cylinder 3 and continues to drive the sliding member 2 until the buffer cylinder 3 and the pressure column 8 reach the predetermined position. S3, Lifting and forming part 9, the forming part 9 directly acts on both ends of the hinge base 4 during the lifting process, and under the limit of the pressure column 8, both ends of the hinge base 4 are bent. S41. After the two ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to a predetermined angle, the two ends of the hinge base 4 will trigger the detection switch 12, the gripper 71 will change from the gripping state to the releasing state, the buffer plate 5 will disengage from the gripper 71, and after the two ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to 90°, the buffer plate 5 will be placed between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41 of the hinge base 4; or S42. After the two ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to a predetermined angle, the limiting part 41 of the hinge base 4 will first abut against the outer side of the buffer plate 5. The two ends of the hinge base 4 continue to bend, and the buffer plate 5 continues to be stressed until it separates from the gripper 71. After the two ends of the hinge base 4 are bent to 90°, the buffer plate 5 is placed between the buffer cylinder 3 and the limiting part 41 of the hinge base 4.

[0036] In step S41 or step S42, the bearing portion 10 of the hinge base 4 carries and supports the buffer cylinder 3, while the limiting portions 41 at both ends of the hinge base 4 limit the buffer cylinder 3 from the top sides of the buffer cylinder 3, thereby completing the fixation of the buffer cylinder 3.

[0037] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

Claims

1. A buffer hinge assembly device, used for assembling a buffer cylinder onto a hinge base, wherein the hinge base has a protruding limiting portion to fix the buffer cylinder, characterized in that, The device includes a sliding mechanism, a clamping assembly, and a forming part. A sliding member is slidably connected to the sliding mechanism. The clamping assembly is connected to the top end face of the sliding member. Two inclined and symmetrically arranged buffer plates are detachably connected to the clamping end of the clamping assembly. The two buffer plates are used to clamp the buffer cylinder. Two symmetrically arranged pressure columns are vertically connected to the bottom end face of the sliding member. The forming part is located below and outside the pressure columns. It is configured to transport the buffer cylinder to the hinge base through the sliding mechanism, and then bend both ends of the hinge base by lifting the forming part, thereby fixing the buffer cylinder with the limiting part of the hinge base. During the lifting of the limiting part, the buffer plate actively or passively detaches from the clamping assembly and is placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part.

2. The buffer hinge assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping assembly includes a gripper and a detection switch. The gripper clamps the buffer plate, and the detection switch is connected to the end face of the slider. The detection switch is signal-connected to the gripper and configured such that when both ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the detection switch is triggered and an electrical signal is generated. The gripper responds to the electrical signal of the detection switch and changes from a clamping state to a released state.

3. The buffer hinge assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping assembly includes a connector, the end of which is provided with a insertion slot, and the buffer plate is inserted into the insertion slot.

4. A buffer hinge assembly device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that: The buffer plate is made of one of rubber, EVA or TPU, and the buffer plate has a flat or spherical connecting end for cooperating with the gripper or the insertion groove.

5. A buffer hinge assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the hinge base form bent ends after bending, and the buffer plate placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part is not higher than the bent ends.

6. The buffer hinge assembly device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A bearing portion is fixed at the center of the top surface of the hinge base, and a number of rollers arranged side by side are rotatably connected to the top surface of the bearing portion. The rollers are used to support the buffer cylinder.

7. A buffer hinge assembly device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The roller has an arc-shaped groove on its side that matches the side of the buffer cylinder.

8. A processing method applied to the buffer hinge assembly device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Use clamping components to clamp the buffer cylinder; S2. Start the sliding mechanism and drive the sliding component to move, so that the buffer cylinder moves to the hinge base. The bearing part on the hinge base supports the buffer cylinder and continues to drive the sliding component until the buffer cylinder and the pressure column reach the predetermined position. S3, Lifting and forming part: During the lifting process, the forming part directly acts on both ends of the hinge base. Under the limit of the pressure column, both ends of the hinge base bend. S41. After both ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the detection switches at both ends of the hinge base will be triggered, the grippers will change from a clamping state to a released state, the buffer plate will disengage from the grippers, and after both ends of the hinge base are bent to 90°, the buffer plate will be placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part of the hinge base; or S42. After the two ends of the hinge base are bent to a predetermined angle, the limiting part of the hinge base will first abut against the outer side of the buffer plate. The two ends of the hinge base continue to bend, and the buffer plate continues to be stressed until it separates from the gripper. After the two ends of the hinge base are bent to 90°, the buffer plate is placed between the buffer cylinder and the limiting part of the hinge base.

9. The processing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: In step S41 or step S42, the bearing part of the hinge base carries and supports the buffer cylinder, while the limiting parts at both ends of the hinge base limit the buffer cylinder from the top sides of the buffer cylinder, thereby completing the fixation of the buffer cylinder.

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