Assembly apparatus and assembly method

Abstract

The invention discloses assembling equipment and an assembling method, and relates to the technical field of machining, the assembling equipment comprises a machine base, a conveying mechanism, a taking and placing mechanism and a material taking mechanism, and the machine base is provided with a feeding station, a material taking station, an assembling station and a discharging station; the transportation mechanism is used for bearing and transporting the circulation tool, and a product and a gland are preset on the circulation tool; the pick-and-place mechanism comprises a pick-and-place part, and the pick-and-place part is used for picking the glands located on the assembly station so as to remove the glands from the circulation tools and is further used for placing the picked glands back to the circulation tools located on the assembly station so as to press the products; the material taking mechanism comprises a material taking part, and the material taking part has a moving stroke moving between a material taking station and an assembling station and is used for conveying the pressing sleeve located on the material taking station to the assembling station. The invention aims to overcome the defects of low manual assembly efficiency and unstable product quality in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of machining technology, and in particular to an assembly device and assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] In the assembly process of some products, an additional pressure sleeve is initially fitted over the product, and a pressure cap is used to press the product together with the pressure sleeve in place. This requires that the pressure sleeve be installed in place before the pressure cap is attached to the product to maintain the pressing effect. This method of assembly places extremely high demands on the installation accuracy and clamping force of the pressure sleeve and pressure cap. Traditional manual methods of performing this operation are difficult to reproduce the original pressing state, which can easily lead to inconsistent final product quality or even failure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide an assembly device and assembly method that overcomes the shortcomings of low efficiency and unstable product quality in existing manual assembly techniques.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the assembly equipment proposed in this invention includes: The machine base is provided with a loading station, a material unloading station, an assembly station and a material unloading station; A transport mechanism is used to carry and transport a transfer tooling, on which a product and a cap are pre-set. The transport mechanism is used to drive the transfer tooling to move between the loading station, the assembly station, and the unloading station. A pick-and-place mechanism, disposed on the machine base, includes a pick-and-place section for picking up the cap located at the assembly station to remove the cap from the transfer fixture, and for placing the picked-up cap back onto the transfer fixture located at the assembly station to press the product; and A material handling mechanism is provided on the machine base. The material handling mechanism includes a material handling part, which has a movable stroke that moves between the material handling station and the assembly station. It is used to transport the pressure sleeve located at the material handling station to the assembly station and to sleeve the pressure sleeve on the outside of the product located at the assembly station.

[0005] In one embodiment, the pick-and-place unit includes: Two clamping arms are configured to move apart and closer together to form a clamping space for picking up the cap; a first airflow channel is formed inside each clamping arm, and an adsorption hole communicating with the first airflow channel is opened on the side of each clamping arm near the other clamping arm; and A first vacuum generator is connected to the first airflow channel to generate adsorption force at the adsorption pore.

[0006] In one embodiment, the picking and placing mechanism includes: A first mounting bracket is movably mounted on the machine base and located at the assembly station; A clamping base, movably mounted on the first mounting frame and located above the assembly station, with two clamping arms positioned on the side of the clamping base facing the machine base; and The pick-and-place drive module includes a pick-and-place horizontal movement drive and a pick-and-place lifting drive; the pick-and-place horizontal movement drive drives the first mounting frame to reciprocate horizontally relative to the base; the pick-and-place lifting drive is connected to the clamping seat to drive the clamping seat to move up and down.

[0007] In one embodiment, the material handling unit includes: The nozzle has a second airflow channel formed inside, and its suction surface has a contoured groove that connects to the first airflow channel; the contoured groove is adapted to the outer shape of the pressure sleeve; and The second vacuum generator, which is connected to the second airflow channel, is used to generate negative pressure at the contour groove so that the groove wall can tightly adhere to and adsorb the outer surface of the pressure sleeve.

[0008] In one embodiment, the material handling mechanism further includes: The second mounting bracket is mounted on the machine base and spans the material handling station and the assembly station; The movable seat is movably disposed on the mounting base; A nozzle holder, movably mounted on the movable base, with the nozzle disposed on the side of the nozzle holder facing the base; and The material picking drive module includes a material picking lateral movement drive and a material picking lifting drive. The material picking lateral movement drive is transversely connected to the movable seat and is used to drive the movable seat to reciprocate horizontally relative to the first mounting frame. The material picking lifting drive is transversely connected to the suction nozzle seat and is used to drive the suction nozzle seat to move up and down.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pressure cap is provided with a floating pressure head and two positioning posts, the floating pressure head is disposed between the two positioning posts, and the floating pressure head is used to contact the top of the product; the machine base is also provided with a height measuring station, and the transport mechanism is also used to transport the transfer tooling between the assembly station, the height measuring station and the unloading station; The assembly equipment also includes a height measuring mechanism, which comprises: The third mounting bracket is mounted on the base and located at the height measurement station; A lifting seat, which can be lifted and lowered on the third mounting base; The contact head is located on the side of the lifting seat facing the machine base. The side of the contact head facing the machine base is the contact surface. The contact surface has a groove. The bottom wall of the groove is used to contact the floating pressure head. The contact surface contacts the two positioning columns. A height-measuring drive unit, which is pulsatorically connected to the lifting base, is used to drive the lifting base to move the contact head up and down; and A position detection unit is used to detect the amount of floating of the floating pressure head relative to the positioning column.

[0010] In one embodiment, the assembly equipment further includes a visual guidance mechanism, the visual guidance mechanism comprising: A fourth mounting bracket is mounted on the base; A camera assembly, comprising an upper camera and a lower camera, wherein the upper camera is disposed on the fourth mounting bracket and above the assembly station, and the lower camera is disposed on the fourth mounting bracket and corresponds to the picking path of the material picking unit; A vision control module, electrically connected to the camera assembly and the material handling mechanism, is used to process information based on the images captured by the camera assembly and generate guidance signals for the material handling mechanism.

[0011] In one embodiment, the transportation mechanism includes: A transfer seat, movably mounted on the machine base, is used for the transport and transfer tooling; A positioning seat, movably mounted on the transfer seat, is used to support the transfer tooling; The positioning part includes a positioning pin and a tooling pressure plate. The positioning pin protrudes from the bearing surface of the positioning seat and is used to insert into the positioning hole on the transfer tooling. The tooling pressure plate is disposed on the positioning seat and located above the bearing surface of the positioning seat, and is used to press the transfer tooling. The transport drive module includes a transport traverse drive component and a lifting drive component. The transport traverse drive component is driven by the transfer seat and is used to drive the transfer seat to move between the loading station, the assembly station and the unloading station. The lifting drive component is driven by the positioning seat and is used to drive the positioning seat to move the transfer tooling up and down.

[0012] The present invention also provides an assembly method, implemented using the assembly equipment described above, for assembling press-fitted products, the assembly method comprising: The transfer equipment carrying the products and caps is transported to the assembly station by the transportation agency; The pressure cap on the transfer tooling is picked up by the pick-and-place part of the pick-and-place mechanism; The material picking part of the material picking mechanism picks up the pressure sleeve from the material picking station and transports the pressure sleeve to the assembly station, where it is fitted onto the outside of the product. The removed cap is placed back onto the product via the pick-and-place section.

[0013] In one embodiment, after the step of placing the removed cap back onto the product via the pick-and-place section to press the product placed within the pressure sleeve, the method further includes: The transfer tooling is transported to the height measurement station by a transportation agency; The floating head of the pressure cap is measured relative to the positioning post of the pressure cap by a height measuring mechanism to determine whether the product is assembled in place. If the assembly is determined to be in place, the transfer tooling carrying the assembled product is transported to the unloading station by the transport mechanism. If it is determined that the assembly is not in place, the transfer tooling carrying the assembled product will be transported to the material discharge station by the transport mechanism.

[0014] The product assembly equipment provided by this invention, through the coordinated operation of a multi-station layout, a transport mechanism, a pick-and-place mechanism, and a material handling mechanism, can solve the problems of low precision and inconsistent clamping force during manual removal and installation of caps, leading to unstable product quality or even failure. Specifically, the machine base is equipped with a loading station, a picking station, an assembly station, and a unloading station, forming a standardized work process. The transport mechanism carries a pre-loaded transfer fixture containing the product and cap, driving the transfer fixture to flow orderly between the loading station, assembly station, and unloading station, ensuring the transfer of the product between each process. When the transfer fixture arrives at the assembly station, the picking and placing part of the pick-and-place mechanism picks up the cap and removes it from the transfer fixture. Subsequently, the material handling part of the material handling mechanism moves between the material handling station and the assembly station, transporting the cap from the material handling station to the assembly station and placing it on the outside of the product. After the cap is installed in place, the picking and placing part puts the cap back into the transfer fixture and clamps the product. After assembly, the product is transferred to the unloading station by the transport mechanism. In this way, the multi-station layout and transportation mechanism replace manual product transfer, ensuring the consistency of product position in each process and avoiding positional deviations caused by manual handling. The pick-and-place mechanism uses mechanical operation to remove and install caps, which, compared to manual operation, allows for control over the picking, placement, and clamping force of the caps. The entire equipment, through automated and standardized operating procedures, completely solves the problems of uncontrollable precision and force in manual operation, effectively improving the consistency and stability of the final assembly quality of the products and reducing the risk of product failure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] 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 the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the assembly equipment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the picking and placing mechanism of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the material handling mechanism of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the engagement of the suction nozzle with the cap of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the height measuring mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation between the contact head, positioning post, and floating pressure head of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the transportation mechanism of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the transfer tooling of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the assembly method of the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of icon numbers: 1000. Assembly equipment; 1. Machine base; 11. Loading station; 12. Picking station; 13. Assembly station; 14. Unloading station; 15. Height measuring station; 2. Transportation mechanism; 21. Transfer seat; 22. Positioning seat; 23. Positioning part; 231. Positioning pin; 232. Tooling pressure plate; 3. Picking and placing mechanism; 31. Picking and placing part; 311. Clamping arm; 32. First mounting frame; 33. Clamping seat; 4. Picking mechanism; 41. Picking part; 411. Suction nozzle; 42. Second mounting frame; 43. Movable seat; 44. Suction nozzle seat; 5. Height measuring mechanism; 51. Third mounting frame; 52. Lifting seat; 53. Contact head; 531. Groove; 200. Transfer tooling; 300. Product; 6. Pressure cap; 7. Floating pressure head; 8. Positioning column; 400. Pressure sleeve.

[0018] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0021] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0022] This invention proposes an assembly device 1000.

[0023] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment, the assembly equipment 1000 includes: The machine base 1 is provided with a loading station 11, a picking station 12, an assembly station 13 and a unloading station 14. The transport mechanism 2 is used to carry and transport the transfer tooling 200. The transfer tooling 200 is pre-loaded with a product 300 and a pressure cap 6 pressed onto the product 300. The transport mechanism 2 is used to drive the transfer tooling 200 to move between the loading station 11, the assembly station 13 and the unloading station 14. A pick-and-place mechanism 3, located on the base 1, includes a pick-and-place section 31. The pick-and-place section 31 is used to pick up the cap 6 located on the assembly station 13 to remove the cap 6 from the transfer fixture 200, and also to place the picked-up cap 6 back onto the transfer fixture 200 located on the assembly station 13 to clamp the product 300; and The material handling mechanism 4 is located on the base 1. The material handling mechanism 4 includes a material handling part 41, which has a movable stroke that moves between the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13. It is used to transport the pressure sleeve 400 located at the material handling station 12 to the assembly station 13, and also to fit the pressure sleeve 400 onto the outside of the product 300 located at the assembly station 13.

[0024] It should be noted that the base 1, as the basic load-bearing component of the entire assembly equipment 1000, is integrally molded from high-strength alloy material to ensure sufficient structural rigidity and stability, effectively preventing positional displacement caused by vibration during equipment operation. The base 1 is pre-set with a loading station 11, a picking station 12, an assembly station 13, and a unloading station 14. The stations are arranged in a reasonable order according to the work process to form a continuous automated operation chain. For example, the loading station 11, the assembly station 13, and the unloading station 14 are arranged on the same conveyor line, and the picking station 12 is located on the side of the conveyor line.

[0025] The transport mechanism 2, as the core transmission component for the transfer of product 300 between various workstations, has the core function of supporting and driving the transfer fixture 200 to move smoothly between the loading station 11, the assembly station 13, and the unloading station 14. The transport mechanism 2 can be driven by either a servo motor with a ball screw or a pneumatic cylinder with a guide rail. The servo motor drive enables high-precision closed-loop control of displacement, suitable for scenarios with high transfer accuracy requirements; the pneumatic cylinder drive offers advantages such as fast response and lower cost, suitable for conditions with relatively relaxed accuracy requirements. The supporting part of the transport mechanism 2 is a fixture support platform, whose top surface is equipped with a limiting groove 531 or a magnetic positioning structure that matches the bottom of the transfer fixture 200, ensuring a secure connection and synchronous movement between the transfer fixture 200 and the support platform.

[0026] The pick-and-place mechanism 3 is fixedly installed on the side or above the assembly station 13 of the base 1. It mainly consists of a drive module and a pick-and-place part 31. The drive module can be a multi-axis linear module or a rotary swing cylinder. The multi-axis linear module can realize the movement of the pick-and-place part 31 in the three directions of X, Y and Z in space, which is suitable for scenarios that require a large range of adjustment of the pick-and-place position. The rotary swing cylinder is suitable for working conditions where the pick-and-place position is relatively fixed and only small angle adjustment is required. Both drive methods can ensure the reliability and repeatability of the pick-and-place action. The pick-and-place unit 31, as the actuator that directly contacts the cap 6, can adopt either a vacuum adsorption type or a mechanical clamping type structure. The vacuum adsorption type pick-and-place unit 31 is equipped with a silicone suction cup. The shape of the suction cup is adapted to the top surface of the cap 6. The vacuum generator generates negative pressure to form an adsorption force, which can smoothly pick up the cap 6 without causing clamping damage to the surface of the cap 6. The mechanical clamping type pick-and-place unit 31 adopts a symmetrical claw structure. The claw is made of wear-resistant alloy steel. The inner side of the claw is provided with an arc-shaped clamping surface adapted to the shape of the cap 6. The claw is pneumatically or electrically driven to open and close, so as to achieve a stable clamping of the cap 6. The core function of the pick-and-place unit 31 is to remove and re-press the cap 6 at the assembly station 13. During the removal stage, the pick-and-place unit 31 aligns the cap 6 and applies a stable picking force to smoothly remove the cap 6 from the transfer fixture 200. During the reinstallation stage, the pick-and-place unit 31 carries the cap 6 to the product 300 and applies a preset pressing force through the drive module to re-press the cap 6 onto the product 300, restoring the initial pressing effect.

[0027] The material handling mechanism 4 is installed on the base 1 in the area between the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13. It consists of a linear drive module and a material handling part 41. The linear drive module can be a rodless cylinder, a ball screw module, or a synchronous belt module. The rodless cylinder drive has the advantages of compact structure and fast response, while the ball screw module has higher displacement accuracy. The synchronous belt module is suitable for long-stroke transfer scenarios. All three drive methods can realize the stable reciprocating motion of the material handling part 41 between the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13, forming a preset active stroke. The material handling unit 41, as the picking and placing execution component of the pressure sleeve 400, can adopt a mechanical gripper type or a vacuum adsorption type structure. The mechanical gripper type material handling unit 41 consists of two symmetrical grippers made of wear-resistant alloy steel. The inner side of the grippers is machined with an arc-shaped surface that matches the outer circle of the pressure sleeve 400. The opening angle and clamping force of the grippers can be adjusted by the control system to ensure a stable clamping of the pressure sleeve 400 without damaging its surface. The vacuum adsorption type material handling unit 41 uses a ring suction cup to adsorb the end face of the pressure sleeve 400, which is suitable for scenarios where the surface of the pressure sleeve 400 is flat and easy to form a sealed adsorption. The core function of the material handling mechanism 4 is to transfer the pressure sleeve 400 on the material handling station 12 to the assembly station 13 and put it on the outside of the product 300. During the transfer process, the material handling part 41 keeps the pressure sleeve 400 in a stable position to prevent the pressure sleeve 400 from tilting or falling off. During the fitting stage, the material handling part 41 aligns with the product 300 and smoothly puts the pressure sleeve 400 into the preset position of the product 300, creating conditions for the subsequent reinstallation of the pressure cover 6.

[0028] The product assembly equipment 1000 provided by this invention, through the coordinated operation of a multi-station layout, a transport mechanism 2, a pick-and-place mechanism 3, and a material handling mechanism 4, can solve the problems of low precision and inconsistent clamping force during manual removal and installation of the pressure cap 6, which lead to unstable product quality or even failure. Specifically, the machine base 1 is equipped with a loading station 11, a material handling station 12, an assembly station 13, and a unloading station 14, forming a standardized work process; the transport mechanism 2 carries a transfer fixture 200 pre-loaded with the product 300 and the pressure cap 6, and drives the transfer fixture 200 to flow orderly between the loading station 11, the assembly station 13, and the unloading station 14, ensuring the transfer of the product 300 between each process. When the transfer fixture 200 arrives at the assembly station 13, the pick-and-place section 31 of the pick-and-place mechanism 3 picks up the pressure cap 6 and removes it from the transfer fixture 200. Subsequently, the picking section 41 of the picking mechanism 4 moves between the picking station 12 and the assembly station 13, transporting the pressure sleeve 400 from the picking station 12 to the assembly station 13 and fitting it onto the outside of the product 300. After the pressure sleeve 400 is installed in place, the pick-and-place section 31 puts the pressure cap 6 back into the transfer fixture 200 and presses the product 300. After assembly, it is transferred to the unloading station 14 by the transport mechanism 2. In this way, the multi-station layout and the transport mechanism 2 replace manual transfer of the product 300, ensuring the consistency of the product 300's position in each process and avoiding positional deviations caused by manual handling. The pick-and-place section 31 of the pick-and-place mechanism 3 uses mechanical operation to remove and install the pressure cap 6, which, compared to manual operation, can control the picking, placement position and pressing force of the pressure cap 6. The entire equipment, through automated and standardized operating procedures, completely solves the problem of uncontrollable precision and force in manual operation, effectively improving the consistency and stability of the final assembly quality of Product 300 and reducing the risk of Product 300 failure.

[0029] Please see Figure 2 In one embodiment, the pick-and-place unit 31 includes: Two clamping arms 311 are configured to move apart or closer together to form a clamping space for picking up the pressure cap 6; a first airflow channel is formed inside each clamping arm 311, and an adsorption hole communicating with the first airflow channel is provided on the side of each clamping arm 311 near the other clamping arm 311; and A first vacuum generator is connected to a first airflow channel to generate adsorption force at the adsorption pores.

[0030] It should be noted that in the pick-and-place section 31 of this embodiment, the two clamping arms 311 are the core execution components. They are made of high-strength aluminum alloy or wear-resistant alloy steel, both materials balancing structural strength and lightweight requirements, preventing deformation or wear of the clamping arms 311 during frequent opening and closing. The overall shape of the clamping arm 311 is designed as a long strip, with one side near the other clamping arm 311 machined into an arc-shaped clamping surface that matches the shape of the pressure cap 6. This arc-shaped surface can closely fit the side of the pressure cap 6, improving clamping stability. Simultaneously, a through-flow first airflow channel is machined along the length of the clamping arm 311. This channel can be a circular hole structure, with the inner wall of the hole smoothed to reduce airflow resistance. Multiple adsorption holes communicating with the first airflow channel are evenly distributed on the arc-shaped clamping surface of the clamping arm 311. These adsorption holes are circular, and their distribution matches the contact area of ​​the pressure cap 6, ensuring that the adsorption force is evenly applied to the surface of the pressure cap 6. To achieve the mutual separation and proximity of the two clamping arms 311, the ends of the clamping arms 311 can be connected to the drive module of the pick-and-place mechanism 3 by means of hinge or sliding engagement. The drive module can drive the clamping arms 311 to rotate around the hinge point or slide linearly along the guide rail by means of a pneumatic piston or electric screw, thereby adjusting the distance between the two clamping arms 311 to form a clamping space that can adapt to different specifications of pressure caps 6.

[0031] The first vacuum generator is the power component for generating the adsorption force. It is sealed to the first airflow channel inside the clamping arm 311 via an air pipe, and the connection is sealed with a sealing ring to prevent airflow leakage from affecting the vacuum level. This vacuum generator can adopt a jet-type structure. By introducing compressed air, a negative pressure is formed in the first airflow channel using the jet effect, thereby generating a stable adsorption force at the adsorption orifice. At the same time, a pressure regulating valve can be integrated into the first vacuum generator to adjust the adsorption force according to the material and weight of the pressure cap 6, avoiding damage to the pressure cap 6 due to excessive adsorption force or detachment of the pressure cap 6 due to insufficient adsorption force.

[0032] In this embodiment, the combined clamping and adsorption structure formed by the clamping arm 311 and the first vacuum generator can significantly improve the stability of the cap 6 during the picking and transferring process, effectively avoid the cap 6 from shifting, tilting or falling off, and ensure the reliability of the cap 6 removal and installation operations. At the same time, the adjustable opening and closing design of the clamping arm 311 combined with the adjustable adsorption force enhances the adaptability of the picking and placing part 31 to caps 6 of different specifications and materials, and improves the versatility of the equipment.

[0033] Please see Figure 2 In one embodiment, the pick-and-place mechanism 3 includes: The first mounting bracket 32 ​​is movably mounted on the base 1 and located at the assembly station 13; A clamping base 33 is movably mounted on the first mounting frame 32 and located above the assembly station 13. Two clamping arms 311 are located on the side of the clamping base 33 facing the machine base 1. The pick-and-place drive module includes a pick-and-place horizontal movement drive and a pick-and-place lifting drive. The pick-and-place horizontal movement drive drives the first mounting frame 32 and drives the first mounting frame 32 to reciprocate horizontally relative to the base 1. The pick-and-place lifting drive is connected to the clamping seat 33 and drives the clamping seat 33 to move up and down.

[0034] It should be noted that the first mounting frame 32, as the basic load-bearing component of the pick-and-place mechanism 3, is used to build the overall mounting frame and realize the movable connection between the pick-and-place mechanism 3 and the base 1. Its material can be high-strength aluminum alloy or welded carbon steel. Aluminum alloy combines lightweight with good structural strength, making it easier to reduce the drive load, while the welded carbon steel structure has higher load-bearing capacity and can adapt to different working conditions. The overall structure of the first mounting frame 32 is designed as either a frame type or a plate type. The frame type structure uses multiple profiles spliced ​​and fastened together, ensuring strength while reducing the overall weight; the plate type structure is a one-piece molded flat plate structure, with a simple structure and a flat mounting surface. To ensure smooth movement of the first mounting bracket 32 ​​relative to the base 1, a guide mechanism is provided between the first mounting bracket 32 ​​and the base 1. This mechanism can be a combination of a linear guide rail and a slider. The linear guide rail is fixed to the surface of the base 1, and the slider is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first mounting bracket 32. The first mounting bracket 32 ​​moves horizontally back and forth by sliding the slider along the guide rail, ensuring that there is no jamming or offset during the movement. Furthermore, the range of motion of the mounting bracket covers the horizontal area corresponding to the assembly station 13, providing a basis for positioning subsequent pick-and-place actions.

[0035] The clamping base 33 serves as the direct mounting carrier for the clamping arms 311. Its material is a high-strength aluminum alloy that matches the first mounting frame 32, ensuring material consistency and lightweight requirements for the overall structure and preventing deformation due to material differences. The clamping base 33 is designed in a block or plate shape. The side facing the machine base 1 has a mounting surface adapted to the clamping arms 311. The mounting surface can be provided with positioning grooves or threaded holes. The two clamping arms 311 are stably mounted on this side by bolt tightening or interference fit, ensuring that the clamping arms 311 do not loosen during operation. The clamping seat 33 and the first mounting frame 32 are connected by a movable structure. The clamping seat 33 can be a sliding guide rail assembly or a combination of guide post and guide sleeve. The sliding guide rail assembly is fixed to the first mounting frame 32 in the vertical direction. The clamping seat 33 is fixed to the slider on the guide rail, so as to realize the smooth lifting and lowering of the clamping seat 33 relative to the first mounting frame 32. The combination of guide post and guide sleeve is achieved by setting a guide sleeve on the clamping seat 33 and setting a corresponding guide post on the first mounting frame 32. The guide post is inserted into the guide sleeve to form a guide, ensuring the verticality and stability of the lifting process. The clamping seat 33 is always directly above the assembly station 13, ensuring that the clamping arm 311 can be aligned with the pressure cap 6 below.

[0036] The pick-and-place drive module is the core of the power output for the pick-and-place mechanism 3. It includes a pick-and-place lateral movement drive and a pick-and-place lifting drive. Both are made of high-strength engineering plastic for the shell, and the internal transmission components are made of wear-resistant alloy steel, balancing protection and transmission reliability. The pick-and-place lateral movement drive is used to drive the first mounting bracket 32 ​​to move horizontally back and forth. It can be a servo motor with a ball screw or a rodless cylinder drive. The servo motor and ball screw can achieve high-precision closed-loop control of horizontal displacement, adjusting the horizontal position of the first mounting bracket 32 ​​to meet the operational needs of different product specifications 300. The rodless cylinder drive has the advantages of fast response and compact structure, and is suitable for working conditions with relatively relaxed requirements for horizontal displacement accuracy. The pick-and-place lateral movement drive is connected to the first mounting bracket 32 ​​through a coupling or transmission seat to ensure smooth and efficient power transmission. The pick-and-place lifting drive is used to drive the clamping seat 33 to move up and down. It can be an electric push rod, a linear module, or a pneumatic cylinder. The electric push rod and linear module drive have the characteristics of high lifting accuracy and stable thrust, which can control the lifting height of the clamping arm 311 and ensure the action accuracy when picking up and pressing the cover 6. The pneumatic cylinder drive is lower in cost and faster in response, and is suitable for scenarios with moderate lifting accuracy requirements. It is fixedly connected to the clamping seat 33 through a piston rod, or driven by the clamping seat 33 through a synchronous belt assembly, so as to realize the smooth lifting of the clamping seat 33.

[0037] In this embodiment, through the coordinated operation of the first mounting bracket 32, the clamping seat 33, and the pick-and-place drive module, the horizontal and vertical displacement adjustment of the pick-and-place mechanism 3 is realized, ensuring that the clamping arm 311 can be aligned with the pressure cap 6 on the assembly station 13, thus providing displacement accuracy for the removal and installation of the pressure cap 6. The pick-and-place horizontal movement and lifting drive components are provided with a variety of drive forms to adapt to different working conditions. Combined with the flexible movable structure of the clamping seat 33 and the first mounting bracket 32, the pick-and-place mechanism 3 can adapt to the operation requirements of products 300 of different specifications, thereby improving the versatility of the equipment.

[0038] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the material handling unit 41 includes: The suction nozzle 411 has a second airflow channel formed inside, and its adsorption surface has a contoured groove that connects to the first airflow channel; the contoured groove is adapted to the outer shape of the pressure sleeve 400; and The second vacuum generator, which is connected to the second airflow channel, is used to generate negative pressure at the contour groove so that the groove wall can tightly adhere to the outer surface of the adsorption sleeve 400.

[0039] It should be noted that the suction nozzle 411, as the adsorption actuator that directly contacts the pressure sleeve 400, can be made of wear-resistant silicone or engineering plastic. Wear-resistant silicone has good elasticity and sealing properties, which can better fit the surface of the pressure sleeve 400 and avoid scratching the pressure sleeve 400; engineering plastic combines lightweight and structural stability, and is suitable for working conditions where the strength of the adsorption carrier is required. The overall shape of the suction nozzle 411 is designed as a column or block, with the side facing the pressure sleeve 400 as the adsorption surface. A contour groove is formed on the adsorption surface, and the contour of the contour groove is perfectly adapted to the outer shape of the pressure sleeve 400. It can be designed to correspond to different shapes of the pressure sleeve 400, such as round or square, to ensure that the groove wall can fully fit the outer surface of the pressure sleeve 400. A through second airflow channel is formed inside the suction nozzle 411 along the axial or radial direction. The inner wall of this channel is smoothed to reduce airflow resistance, and one end of the channel is connected to the contour groove, while the other end extends to the side or tail of the suction nozzle 411 for docking with the second vacuum generator.

[0040] The second vacuum generator serves as the power source for the negative pressure adsorption of the material handling section 41. Its housing is made of high-strength engineering plastic, while the internal core transmission and sealing components are made of wear-resistant alloy steel, ensuring both protection and long-term operational reliability. The second vacuum generator is connected to the second airflow channel of the suction nozzle 411 via a sealed air pipe. A rubber sealing ring is installed at the connection point to ensure airflow sealing performance and prevent negative pressure leakage from affecting the adsorption effect. This vacuum generator can adopt a jet-type structure, generating a high-speed airflow by introducing compressed air, creating a negative pressure environment within the second airflow channel, thereby generating a stable adsorption force at the contour groove and achieving tight adsorption of the pressure sleeve 400.

[0041] In this embodiment, by adapting the contoured groove to the outer shape of the pressure sleeve 400, and in conjunction with the negative pressure adsorption force generated by the second vacuum generator, the suction nozzle 411 and the pressure sleeve 400 can be fully fitted and firmly adsorbed, effectively preventing the pressure sleeve 400 from shifting, falling off, or being damaged on the surface during the transfer process, thus ensuring the safety of the transfer and installation of the pressure sleeve 400; the suction nozzle 411 is designed with elastic or lightweight materials, which can improve the sealing adsorption effect and reduce the risk of contact damage to the pressure sleeve 400.

[0042] Please see Figure 3 In one embodiment, the material handling mechanism 4 further includes: The second mounting bracket 42 is located on the machine base 1 and spans the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13. Movable seat 43, movable seat 43 is movably mounted on the mounting base; The nozzle holder 44 is movably mounted on the movable base 43, and the nozzle 411 is located on the side of the nozzle holder 44 facing the base 1; and The material picking drive module includes a material picking lateral movement drive and a material picking lifting drive. The material picking lateral movement drive is connected to the movable seat 43 and is used to drive the movable seat 43 to reciprocate in the horizontal direction relative to the first mounting frame 32. The material picking lifting drive is connected to the suction nozzle seat 44 and is used to drive the suction nozzle seat 44 to move up and down.

[0043] It should be noted that the second mounting frame 42 serves as the overall load-bearing foundation of the material handling mechanism 4, used to construct the working frame spanning the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13. Its material can be high-strength carbon steel profiles or aluminum alloy profiles. Carbon steel profiles possess excellent load-bearing capacity and structural stability, ensuring reliable long-term operation of the mechanism; aluminum alloy profiles combine lightweight and ease of processing, reducing the overall equipment load. Furthermore, the bolted assembly method facilitates adjustments to the frame size based on the station spacing. The second mounting frame 42 is designed as a portal frame structure, with both ends stably connected to the base 1 via fastening bolts. The crossbeam spans the area above the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13, providing stable support for the installation and movement of the movable seat 43. Simultaneously, a flat guide mounting surface is machined on the crossbeam, providing a guiding foundation for the horizontal movement of the movable seat 43.

[0044] The movable seat 43, serving as an intermediate transmission component connecting the second mounting bracket 42 and the nozzle holder 44, is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, balancing lightweight design with structural strength to avoid excessive weight increasing the drive load. The movable seat 43 is designed as a plate-like or slider-type structure, with a horizontal guide mechanism between it and the second mounting bracket 42. Specifically, it can employ a linear guide rail and slider mechanism. The linear guide rail is fixed along the length of the crossbeam of the second mounting bracket 42, and the movable seat 43 is securely connected to the slider on the guide rail, ensuring smooth reciprocating movement of the movable seat 43 along the guide rail, covering the horizontal travel between the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13. The movable seat 43 also has a vertical guide mounting structure for a movable connection with the nozzle holder 44, ensuring the lifting stability of the nozzle holder 44.

[0045] The nozzle holder 44 serves as the direct mounting carrier for the nozzle 411. It is made of aluminum alloy, matching the material of the movable seat 43, ensuring material consistency and lightweight construction. The nozzle holder 44 is designed as a block structure. On the side facing the base 1, it has mounting grooves or threaded holes adapted to the nozzle 411. The nozzle 411 is stably installed using interference fit or bolt fastening, ensuring that it does not loosen or shift during the adsorption and transfer of the pressure sleeve 400. The nozzle holder 44 and the movable seat 43 employ a vertical guide fit structure, which can be a guide post and guide sleeve combination. The guide post is fixed vertically to the movable seat 43, and a corresponding guide sleeve is installed on the nozzle holder 44. The guide post is inserted into the guide sleeve to provide guidance, ensuring the verticality of the nozzle holder 44 during lifting and lowering, and ensuring that the nozzle 411 is aligned with the pressure sleeve 400 and the product 300.

[0046] The material handling drive module is the core of the power output for the material handling mechanism 4. It includes a material handling lateral movement drive and a material handling lifting drive. Both are made of high-strength engineering plastics, and the internal transmission components are made of wear-resistant alloy steel, balancing protection and transmission reliability. The material handling lateral movement drive is used to drive the movable seat 43 to move horizontally back and forth. It can be a servo motor with a synchronous belt or a rodless cylinder drive. The servo motor and synchronous belt can achieve high-precision control of horizontal displacement, adjusting the position of the movable seat 43 between the material handling station 12 and the assembly station 13 to meet the operational needs of different specifications of products 300. The rodless cylinder drive has the advantages of fast response and compact structure, and is suitable for working conditions with moderate displacement accuracy requirements. It is stably connected to the movable seat 43 through a transmission connecting plate to ensure smooth and efficient power transmission. The material lifting drive is used to drive the suction nozzle seat 44 to move up and down. It can be an electric push rod or a pneumatic cylinder. The electric push rod drive has the characteristics of high lifting accuracy and stable thrust, and can control the lifting height of the suction nozzle 411 to ensure the action accuracy of the suction sleeve 400 and the product 300. The pneumatic cylinder is lower in cost and has a fast response, and is suitable for conventional operation scenarios. It is fixedly connected to the suction nozzle seat 44 through the piston rod to realize the smooth lifting of the suction nozzle seat 44.

[0047] In this embodiment, through the coordinated operation of the second mounting bracket 42, the movable seat 43, the suction nozzle seat 44 and the material picking drive module, the horizontal transfer and lifting action of the suction nozzle 411 between the material picking station 12 and the assembly station 13 is realized, ensuring that the suction nozzle 411 can be aligned with the pressure sleeve 400 and the product 300, and ensuring the operation accuracy of the pressure sleeve 400 transfer and fitting.

[0048] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 In one embodiment, the pressure cap 6 is provided with a floating pressure head 7 and two positioning posts 8. The floating pressure head 7 is located between the two positioning posts 8 and is used to contact the top of the product 300. The machine base 1 is also provided with a height measuring station 15. The transport mechanism 2 is also used to transport the transfer tooling 200 between the assembly station 13, the height measuring station 15 and the unloading station 14. Assembly equipment 1000 also includes a height measuring mechanism 5, which includes: The third mounting bracket 51 is located on the base 1 and at the height measurement station 15; The lifting seat 52 is height-adjustable and mounted on the third mounting seat. The contact head 53 is located on the side of the lifting seat 52 facing the machine base 1. The side of the contact head 53 facing the machine base 1 is the contact surface. The contact surface has a groove 531. The bottom wall of the groove 531 is used to contact the floating pressure head 7. The contact surface contacts the two positioning columns 8. Height measuring drive component, the height measuring drive component is connected to the lifting base 52, and is used to drive the lifting base 52 to move the contact head 53 up and down; and The position detection unit is used to detect the amount of floating of the floating pressure head 7 relative to the positioning column 8.

[0049] It should be noted that the pressure cap 6, as the crimping component that directly contacts the product 300, can be made of high-strength engineering plastic or wear-resistant alloy steel for its floating pressure head 7 and two positioning posts 8. Engineering plastic combines lightweight and a certain degree of elasticity, which can prevent damage to the top of the product 300 during crimping; wear-resistant alloy steel has higher structural strength and is suitable for high-pressure crimping conditions. The two positioning posts 8 are symmetrically distributed, with the floating pressure head 7 located between them, forming a stable "two posts clamping one end" structure. The positioning posts 8 are used to position the pressure cap 6 on the product 300, preventing the pressure cap 6 from shifting, while the floating pressure head 7 is used for flexible contact with the top of the product 300, compensating for assembly errors through its own floating to ensure the fit of the crimp.

[0050] The third mounting frame 51 of the height measuring mechanism 5 serves as the overall load-bearing foundation. It can be made of high-strength carbon steel or aluminum alloy profiles. Carbon steel has a strong load-bearing capacity, while aluminum alloy profiles are lightweight and easy to process. It is stably connected to the base 1 by bolt fastening, ensuring the structural stability of the structure installed above the height measuring station 15. The third mounting frame 51 can be designed as a frame or a cantilever structure. The frame structure provides more stable support, while the cantilever structure reduces the space occupied around the height measuring station 15, adapting to different equipment layout requirements.

[0051] The lifting seat 52, serving as the mounting and lifting transmission component for the contact head 53, is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, balancing lightweight design with structural strength to avoid increasing the load on the height measurement drive components. A vertical guide mechanism is provided between the lifting seat 52 and the third mounting bracket 51. This can be achieved using a linear guide rail and slider or a guide post and guide sleeve. The linear guide rail and slider combination improves the smoothness and accuracy of lifting, while the guide post and guide sleeve combination offers a simpler structure and lower cost. Both methods ensure the verticality of the lifting seat 52 during lifting, preventing deviation from affecting the height measurement accuracy.

[0052] The contact head 53, as the height measuring component that directly contacts the pressure cap 6, can be made of wear-resistant alloy steel and its contact surface is polished to ensure that the surface of the pressure cap 6 is not damaged during contact and that the contact fit is high. The side of the contact head 53 facing the base 1 is a flat contact surface, and a groove 531 adapted to the shape of the floating pressure head 7 is formed on the contact surface. The bottom wall of the groove 531 is used to fit the floating pressure head 7, while the remaining area of ​​the contact surface fits with the top surface of the two positioning posts 8, forming a stable contact state of "three-point positioning" to ensure that the relative position of the contact head 53 and the pressure cap 6 is fixed during the height measurement process.

[0053] The height-measuring drive provides power for the lifting platform 52. Its housing is made of high-strength engineering plastic, and the internal transmission components are made of wear-resistant alloy steel, balancing protection and transmission reliability. The height-measuring drive can be either an electric push rod or a precision cylinder. The electric push rod drive has high-precision lifting displacement control capability and can adjust the contact force between the contact head 53 and the pressure plate 6, adapting to the high-precision requirements of height measurement. The precision cylinder has a rapid response and is suitable for working conditions with high height measurement efficiency requirements. It is connected to the lifting platform 52 through the piston rod to achieve smooth lifting of the lifting platform 52.

[0054] The position detection unit is used to detect the floating amount of the floating pressure head 7 relative to the positioning post 8. It can be equipped with a laser displacement sensor, a grating ruler, or a high-precision encoder. The laser displacement sensor detects position changes of the floating pressure head 7 through a non-contact measurement method, avoiding damage to the pressure cover 6 caused by contact measurement. The grating ruler and high-precision encoder, through transmission cooperation with the lifting seat 52 or the contact head 53, achieve real-time feedback of the displacement, providing high measurement accuracy and strong stability. The position detection unit is fixed to the third mounting bracket 51 or the base 1 by a bracket, with its detection end aligned with the corresponding detection area of ​​the floating pressure head 7 and the positioning post 8 to ensure the accuracy of the detection data.

[0055] In this embodiment, the floating structure of the pressure cap 6, along with the height measuring station 15 and the height measuring mechanism 5, enables the detection of the floating amount of the pressure cap 6 after installation. This allows for timely judgment of whether the pressing state of the pressure cap 6 meets the requirements, preventing unqualified products 300 from flowing into subsequent processes. The "two-column clamping one-end" structure of the pressure cap 6, combined with the floating pressure head 7 design, improves the positioning accuracy and pressing fit between the pressure cap 6 and the product 300. The various components of the height measuring mechanism 5 adopt high-precision guiding and driving structures, and the coordinated position detection unit ensures the accuracy and reliability of the floating amount detection.

[0056] In one embodiment, the assembly equipment 1000 further includes a visual guidance mechanism, which comprises: The fourth mounting bracket is installed on the base 1; The camera assembly includes an upper camera and a lower camera. The upper camera is located on the fourth mounting bracket and above the assembly station 13, and the lower camera is located on the fourth mounting bracket and corresponds to the picking path of the picking unit 41. The vision control module is electrically connected to the camera assembly and the material handling mechanism 4. It is used to process information based on the images captured by the camera assembly and generate guidance signals for the material handling mechanism 4.

[0057] It should be noted that the fourth mounting bracket, serving as the overall load-bearing and mounting foundation, is used to secure the camera assembly to the base 1. It can be made of high-strength aluminum alloy profiles or carbon steel. Aluminum alloy profiles combine lightweight design with good structural strength, facilitating adjustments to the mounting posture and reducing the overall load; carbon steel, on the other hand, offers stronger load-bearing capacity, suitable for heavier camera assembly applications. The fourth mounting bracket can be designed as a modular frame structure, assembled using bolts, allowing for easy adjustment of the mounting position and angle according to camera shooting requirements. Its stable connection to the base 1 via fastening bolts ensures no shaking after installation, providing a stable shooting reference for the camera assembly.

[0058] The camera assembly is the core image acquisition component for visual guidance. The upper camera is located on the fourth mounting bracket above the assembly station 13, with its shooting direction facing the product 300 placement area of ​​the assembly station 13. It is used to acquire positional images of the product 300 and the cap 6, providing image data for the positioning of cap 6 removal, sleeve 400 fitting, and cap 6 reinstallation. The lower camera is also located on the fourth mounting bracket, corresponding to the picking path of the picking unit 41, with its shooting direction facing the picking area of ​​the picking unit 41. It is used to acquire positional images of the sleeve 400 at the picking station 12 and posture images of the picking unit 41, ensuring that the picking unit 41 picks up the sleeve 400. In addition, the camera assembly can also be equipped with a supplementary lighting module. The supplementary lighting module uses an LED light source, providing soft light with adjustable brightness to optimize the lighting conditions of the shooting environment and improve image clarity.

[0059] The vision control module, serving as the core of information processing and instruction generation, is housed in an integrated control box. The box's casing is made of metal, providing excellent heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding to protect internal circuits and chips from external interference. The vision control module integrates an image acquisition card, a processor, and a communication interface. The image acquisition card receives image data from the camera assembly. The processor uses a preset image recognition algorithm to extract features and perform position calibration on the images, determining the positions of product 300, pressure cap 6, pressure sleeve 400, and the material handling unit 41. It then electrically connects to the material handling mechanism 4 via the communication interface, generating a guidance signal that is transmitted to the drive control system of the material handling mechanism 4, guiding its movements. Simultaneously, the vision control module can also reserve a data interaction interface for integration with the overall equipment control system, enabling fully automated control of the entire process.

[0060] In this embodiment, by utilizing the coordinated image acquisition of the upper and lower cameras, combined with the information processing and guidance signal generation of the vision control module, a visual positioning guide is provided for the material picking mechanism 4 and related operations. This effectively compensates for the cumulative error of the mechanical transmission, significantly improves the positional accuracy of the pressing sleeve 400 in picking, setting and related processes, and further optimizes the quality control effect of product 300.

[0061] Please see Figure 7 In one embodiment, the transportation mechanism 2 includes: Transfer seat 21, which is movably mounted on the machine tool, is used to transport and transfer tooling 200; Positioning seat 22 is movably mounted on transfer seat 21 and is used to carry transfer tooling 200; The positioning part 23 includes a positioning pin 231 and a tooling pressure plate 232. The positioning pin 231 protrudes from the bearing surface of the positioning seat 22 and is used to insert into the positioning hole on the transfer tooling 200. The tooling pressure plate 232 is located on the positioning seat 22 and above the bearing surface of the positioning seat 22, and is used to press the transfer tooling 200. The transport drive module includes a transport lateral drive component and a lifting drive component. The transport lateral drive component is connected to the transfer seat 21 and is used to drive the transfer seat 21 to move between the loading station 11, the assembly station 13 and the unloading station 14. The lifting drive component is connected to the positioning seat 22 and is used to drive the positioning seat 22 to drive the transfer tooling 200 to move up and down.

[0062] It should be noted that the transfer seat 21, as the basic load-bearing component for the horizontal transfer of the transfer tooling 200, can be made of high-strength aluminum alloy or welded carbon steel. Aluminum alloy combines lightweight with good structural strength, reducing the load on the transport lateral drive components and improving transfer flexibility. The welded carbon steel structure has higher load-bearing capacity and is suitable for applications where the transfer tooling 200 and product 300 are relatively heavy. The transfer seat 21 can be designed as a plate or a frame structure. The plate structure is simple and flat, facilitating the installation of the positioning seat 22; the frame structure reduces weight while ensuring strength. It has a horizontal guiding structure with the machine base, using a linear guide rail and slider combination to ensure smooth and stable horizontal movement of the transfer seat 21 without jamming or offset.

[0063] The positioning seat 22, as the direct load-bearing component of the transfer tooling 200, is made of high-strength aluminum alloy or carbon steel that matches the transfer seat 21, ensuring material consistency and structural stability. The positioning seat 22 is designed as a block or plate, with a flat top surface for stable placement of the transfer tooling 200. A vertical guide structure is provided between the load-bearing surface and the transfer seat 21, which can be a combination of guide columns and guide sleeves, to guide the lifting and lowering movement of the positioning seat 22 and prevent tilting during the lifting process.

[0064] The positioning part 23 is the core component for positioning and securing the transfer tooling 200. Both the positioning pin 231 and the tooling pressure plate 232 can be made of wear-resistant alloy steel, possessing excellent structural strength and wear resistance, thus extending their service life. The positioning pin 231 protrudes from the bearing surface of the positioning seat 22, and its shape is designed to be cylindrical or conical. The cylindrical positioning pin 231 provides strong positioning stability, while the conical positioning pin 231 facilitates quick alignment and insertion with the positioning holes on the transfer tooling 200. Through the cooperation between the positioning pin 231 and the positioning holes, the transfer tooling 200 is positioned horizontally on the positioning seat 22, preventing displacement during the transfer process. The tooling pressure plate 232 is located on the positioning seat 22 and above the bearing surface. It can be designed as a strip or block and is connected to the positioning seat 22 through a hinge or sliding structure. It has an openable and closable stroke. When closed, it can press the edge of the transfer tooling 200 or the preset boss to fix the transfer tooling 200 in the vertical direction and prevent shaking during lifting or transfer.

[0065] The transport lateral movement drive is used to drive the horizontal movement of the transfer seat 21. It can be a servo motor with a ball screw or synchronous belt transmission. The servo motor drive enables high-precision closed-loop control of horizontal displacement, adjusting the position of the transfer seat 21 between the loading station 11, assembly station 13, and unloading station 14, ensuring the stability of station switching. Alternatively, a rodless cylinder drive can be used, offering advantages such as fast response and compact structure, suitable for applications with moderate displacement accuracy requirements. It is stably connected to the transfer seat 21 via a transmission seat or connecting plate, ensuring smooth and efficient power transmission. The lifting drive is used to drive the lifting of the positioning seat 22. It can be an electric push rod or a pneumatic cylinder. The electric push rod drive features high lifting accuracy and stable thrust, controlling the lifting height of the positioning seat 22 to adapt to the height requirements of the transfer tooling 200 in different processes. The pneumatic cylinder is lower in cost and faster in response, suitable for conventional lifting scenarios. It is connected to the positioning seat 22 via a piston rod, enabling the positioning seat 22 to drive the transfer tooling 200 to lift smoothly.

[0066] In this embodiment, through the coordinated cooperation of the transfer seat 21, positioning seat 22, positioning part 23 and transport drive module, the horizontal transfer and flexible lifting of the transfer tooling 200 between the loading, assembly and unloading stations 14 are realized. The positioning pin 231 of the positioning part 23 and the tooling pressure plate 232 form a dual fixing effect of "plug-in positioning + pressing and fixing", ensuring that the transfer tooling 200 always maintains a positioning and stable state during the transfer and lifting process, and avoiding relative displacement between the product 300 and the pressure cover 6.

[0067] In addition, this assembly equipment 1000 also includes a hopper, located at the material handling station 12, for the orderly storage, transfer, and replenishment of material trays and pressure sleeves 400, ensuring the continuity of the material loading process. The specific structure of the hopper is as follows: The main body of the hopper is welded from high-strength carbon steel profiles, forming a closed cavity structure. The front of the cavity has an openable exterior door made of transparent tempered glass, allowing operators to easily observe the status of the internal material trays while providing good protection. The hopper integrates three functional areas: a loading area, a material handling area, and a unloading area. Each area is separated and positioned by guide rails to ensure the alignment of the material trays during transfer. The core execution components include a tray loading / unloading mechanism 3, an empty tray transfer mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The tray loading / unloading mechanism 3 is located at the top of the hopper and employs a vacuum adsorption structure, equipped with multiple suction cups and a lifting drive assembly, enabling stable adsorption and lifting movement of the tray. The empty tray transfer mechanism is located in the middle of the hopper and uses a combination of linear drive slide rails and a support plate, capable of receiving trays and transferring them horizontally between functional areas. The lifting mechanism is located below the material lowering position in the hopper and is driven by an electric push rod, enabling the lifting and storage of empty trays for easy manual removal. The hopper also contains position detection sensors, corresponding to each functional area, to monitor the real-time position of the trays and ensure coordinated operation of all mechanisms.

[0068] The process of using the silo is as follows: The operator manually places the material-filled tray into the silo from the upper loading position and closes the silo's exterior door. The tray loading / unloading mechanism 3 is activated, using suction cups to lift the tray to the top of the silo. Then, the empty tray transfer mechanism moves to directly below the tray, and the tray loading / unloading mechanism 3 releases the tray, transferring it to the support plate of the empty tray transfer mechanism. The empty tray transfer mechanism moves the tray horizontally to the loading position, allowing the loading mechanism 4 to pick up the material from the tray. After the material is removed, the empty tray transfer mechanism moves the empty tray to the lower loading position. The tray loading / unloading mechanism 3 moves above the lower loading position, suctions the empty tray, lifts it to the top, and then resets and moves away. The tray loading / unloading mechanism 3 smoothly transfers the empty tray to the lifting mechanism. The operator manually opens the silo's exterior door, removes the empty tray from the lower loading position lifting mechanism, completing one tray transfer cycle. The silo's exterior door is then closed, awaiting the next loading cycle.

[0069] Please see Figure 8 The present invention also provides an assembly method, implemented based on the assembly equipment 1000 described above, for assembling the pressure sleeve 400 to the product 300, the assembly method comprising: S10. The transfer fixture 200 carrying the product 300 and the cap 6 is transported to the assembly station 13 via the transport mechanism 2.

[0070] The core of this step is to ensure the materials are in place before assembly. The transport mechanism 2, through the transfer seat 21 and the drive component, delivers the pre-assembled product 300 and the transfer tooling 200 of the pressure cap 6 to the assembly station 13. At the same time, the positioning part 23 moves to achieve stable positioning of the tooling, laying the foundation for subsequent operations.

[0071] S20. The pressure cap 6 on the transfer tooling 200 is picked up by the pick-and-place section 31 of the pick-and-place mechanism 3.

[0072] This step achieves the pre-processing removal of the pressure cap 6. The pick-and-place unit 31 is aligned with the pressure cap 6 under the action of the lateral and lifting drive components, and the pressure cap 6 is removed smoothly to make room for the installation of the pressure sleeve 400.

[0073] S30. The pressing sleeve 400 is picked up from the picking station 12 by the picking part 41 of the picking mechanism 4, and the pressing sleeve 400 is transported to the assembly station 13 and fitted onto the outside of the product 300.

[0074] This step completes the assembly of the pressure sleeve 400. The material picking unit 41 moves to the material picking station 12 and picks up the pressure sleeve 400 through the contour groove of the suction nozzle 411 and negative pressure adsorption. The pressure sleeve 400 is then placed on the outside of the product 300 through horizontal transfer and lifting actions.

[0075] S40, The removed cap 6 is placed back onto the product 300 via the pick-and-place section 31.

[0076] This step enables the installation of the cap 6. The take-up and put-down unit 31 carries the removed cap 6 back to the product 300. After alignment, a preset clamping force is applied to press the cap 6 back into the product 300, restoring the initial clamping retention effect.

[0077] In one embodiment, after step S40, the method further includes: S50. The transfer tooling 200 is transported to the height measurement station 15 via the transport mechanism 2. S60. The floating pressure head 7 of the pressure cover 6 is detected by the height measuring mechanism 5 relative to the positioning post 8 of the pressure cover 6 to determine whether the product 300 is assembled in place. This step is a complementary test of assembly quality. The transport mechanism 2 delivers the transfer tool 200 carrying the completed cap 6 reinstalled product 300 to the height measurement station 15 and positions it. The contact head 53 of the height measurement mechanism 5 is in contact with the cap 6. The floating amount of the floating head 7 relative to the positioning column 8 is detected by the position detection unit to determine whether the assembly meets the standard.

[0078] S70. If it is determined that the assembly is in place, the transfer tooling 200 carrying the assembled product 300 is transported to the unloading station 14 by the transport mechanism 2.

[0079] S80. If it is determined that the assembly is not in place, the transfer tooling 200 carrying the assembled product 300 is transported to the material discharge station by the transport mechanism 2.

[0080] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assembly device, characterized in that, include: The machine base is provided with a loading station, a material picking station, an assembly station and a material unloading station; A transport mechanism is used to carry and transport a transfer tooling, on which a product and a cap are pre-set. The transport mechanism is used to drive the transfer tooling to move between the loading station, the assembly station, and the unloading station. A pick-and-place mechanism is provided on the machine base. The pick-and-place mechanism includes a pick-and-place section, which is used to pick up the cap located on the assembly station to remove the cap from the transfer fixture, and is also used to put the picked-up cap back to the transfer fixture located on the assembly station to press the product. as well as A material handling mechanism is provided on the machine base. The material handling mechanism includes a material handling part, which has a movable stroke that moves between the material handling station and the assembly station. It is used to transport the pressure sleeve located at the material handling station to the assembly station and to sleeve the pressure sleeve on the outside of the product located at the assembly station.

2. The assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pick-and-place section includes: Two clamping arms are configured to move apart and closer together to form a clamping space for picking up the cap; a first airflow channel is formed inside each clamping arm, and an adsorption hole communicating with the first airflow channel is opened on the side of each clamping arm near the other clamping arm; and A first vacuum generator is connected to the first airflow channel to generate adsorption force at the adsorption pore.

3. The assembly equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The picking and placing mechanism includes: A first mounting bracket is movably mounted on the machine base and located at the assembly station; A clamping base, movably mounted on the first mounting frame and located above the assembly station, with two clamping arms positioned on the side of the clamping base facing the machine base; and The pick-and-place drive module includes a pick-and-place horizontal movement drive and a pick-and-place lifting drive; the pick-and-place horizontal movement drive drives the first mounting frame to reciprocate horizontally relative to the base; the pick-and-place lifting drive is connected to the clamping seat to drive the clamping seat to move up and down.

4. The assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The material handling unit includes: The nozzle has a second airflow channel formed inside, and its suction surface has a contoured groove that connects to the first airflow channel; the contoured groove is adapted to the outer shape of the pressure sleeve; and The second vacuum generator, which is connected to the second airflow channel, is used to generate negative pressure at the contour groove so that the groove wall can tightly adhere to and adsorb the outer surface of the pressure sleeve.

5. The assembly equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism also includes: The second mounting bracket is mounted on the machine base and spans the material handling station and the assembly station; The movable seat is movably disposed on the mounting base; A nozzle holder, movably mounted on the movable base, with the nozzle disposed on the side of the nozzle holder facing the base; and The material picking drive module includes a material picking lateral movement drive and a material picking lifting drive. The material picking lateral movement drive is transversely connected to the movable seat and is used to drive the movable seat to reciprocate horizontally relative to the first mounting frame. The material picking lifting drive is transversely connected to the suction nozzle seat and is used to drive the suction nozzle seat to move up and down.

6. The assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure cap is equipped with a floating pressure head and two positioning posts. The floating pressure head is located between the two positioning posts and is used to contact the top of the product. The machine base is also equipped with a height measuring station. The transport mechanism is also used to transport the transfer tooling between the assembly station, the height measuring station and the unloading station. The assembly equipment also includes a height measuring mechanism, which comprises: The third mounting bracket is mounted on the base and located at the height measurement station; A lifting seat, which can be raised and lowered on the third mounting base; The contact head is located on the side of the lifting seat facing the machine base. The side of the contact head facing the machine base is the contact surface. The contact surface has a groove. The bottom wall of the groove is used to contact the floating pressure head. The contact surface contacts the two positioning columns. A height-measuring drive unit, which is connected to the lifting base, is used to drive the lifting base to move the contact head up and down; and A position detection unit is used to detect the amount of floating of the floating pressure head relative to the positioning column.

7. The assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly equipment further includes a visual guidance mechanism, which comprises: The fourth mounting bracket is mounted on the base; A camera assembly, comprising an upper camera and a lower camera, wherein the upper camera is disposed on the fourth mounting bracket and above the assembly station, and the lower camera is disposed on the fourth mounting bracket and corresponds to the picking path of the material picking unit; A vision control module, electrically connected to the camera assembly and the material handling mechanism, is used to process information based on the images captured by the camera assembly and generate guidance signals for the material handling mechanism.

8. The assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The transportation agencies include: A transfer seat, movably mounted on the machine base, is used for the transport and transfer tooling; A positioning seat, movably mounted on the transfer seat, is used to support the transfer tooling; The positioning part includes a positioning pin and a tooling pressure plate. The positioning pin protrudes from the bearing surface of the positioning seat and is used to insert into the positioning hole on the transfer tooling. The tooling pressure plate is disposed on the positioning seat and located above the bearing surface of the positioning seat, and is used to press the transfer tooling. The transport drive module includes a transport traverse drive component and a lifting drive component. The transport traverse drive component is driven by the transfer seat and is used to drive the transfer seat to move between the loading station, the assembly station and the unloading station. The lifting drive component is driven by the positioning seat and is used to drive the positioning seat to move the transfer tooling up and down.

9. An assembly method, implemented using the assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, for assembling press-fitted components onto a product, characterized in that, The assembly method includes: The transfer equipment carrying the products and caps is transported to the assembly station by the transportation agency; The pressure cap on the transfer tooling is picked up by the pick-and-place part of the pick-and-place mechanism; The material picking part of the material picking mechanism picks up the pressure sleeve from the material picking station and transports the pressure sleeve to the assembly station, where it is fitted onto the outside of the product. The removed cap is placed back onto the product via the pick-and-place section.

10. The assembly method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, After the step of placing the removed cap back onto the product via the pick-and-place section to press the product placed within the pressure sleeve, the method further includes: The transfer tooling is transported to the height measurement station by a transportation agency; The floating head of the pressure cap is measured relative to the positioning post of the pressure cap by a height measuring mechanism to determine whether the product is assembled in place. If the assembly is determined to be in place, the transfer tooling carrying the assembled product is transported to the unloading station by the transport mechanism. If it is determined that the assembly is not in place, the transfer tooling carrying the assembled product will be transported to the material discharge station by the transport mechanism.

Images