Card assembling work station
By integrating the design of the card assembly station, visual sensors and contouring structures are used to achieve precise alignment and automatic assembly of cards and pins, solving the problems of low efficiency and large errors in existing technologies, and improving production efficiency and assembly quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-03
AI Technical Summary
The existing card assembly process relies on manual labor or decentralized equipment, which is inefficient and prone to errors, affecting the connection quality of CL connectors. Furthermore, the lack of smooth coordination between various processes results in a low assembly qualification rate.
Design a card assembly station, including a first feeding unit, a second feeding unit, and an assembly unloading unit. It uses a vision sensor, a contouring structure, and a power source to achieve precise alignment and automatic assembly of cards and pins.
It achieves fully automated assembly of cards and pins, improving production efficiency, reducing assembly errors, ensuring assembly quality, and ensuring high equipment stability and extended service life.
Smart Images

Figure CN121776402A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This solution relates to the field of CL connector assembly technology, and in particular to a card assembly workstation. Background Technology
[0002] In the chain manufacturing industry, the CL connector is a key component for chain connections. Its core components include two pins, an upper backing plate, a connecting plate (in some connectors), and a clip. Each component needs to be assembled according to a specific process: after the pins, upper backing plate, and connecting plate are pre-assembled and adapted to the outer chain plate, they need to enter the final process—clip assembly. Among these, as the final and critical process in CL connector assembly, the quality of the clip assembly directly determines the final reliability of the connector connection.
[0003] The card has a U-shaped structure. During assembly, its slot must be precisely engaged with the groove at the lower end of the pin to achieve axial locking of each component and prevent the CL connector from loosening and failing during chain drive.
[0004] Currently in the industry, CL connectors have revealed several specific defects in the final card assembly process: 1. Existing card assembly relies heavily on manual operation or decentralized semi-automatic equipment. Manual feeding and assembly is inefficient and prone to misalignment of cards and pins due to human error, affecting the final connection quality of CL connectors. 2. In the decentralized equipment, the connection between each process is not smooth. Cards are prone to problems such as skewing and incorrect orientation during transmission. The pin positioning accuracy is insufficient, which further reduces the assembly qualification rate.
[0005] Therefore, a card assembly station is needed to automate the assembly of CL connectors. Summary of the Invention
[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this solution provides a card assembly workstation with a high degree of automation, capable of precisely assembling cards and pins.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this solution is: a card assembly station, including a first feeding unit for feeding cards, a second feeding unit for feeding materials with pins, and an assembly unloading unit located at the intersection of the two. The first feeding unit includes a hopper, a first conveying component, and a pushing mechanism; The second feeding unit includes a first moving part that can move along the X-axis and a second moving part that can move bidirectionally along the X-axis and Y-axis; The assembly and unloading unit includes assembly components, unloading components, and unloading modules.
[0008] Furthermore, the hopper is equipped with a vibratory feeder and a first sensor; The first conveyor assembly has a conveyor belt connected to a first power source and fixed to a first bracket, and a second sensor detection end extending above the conveyor belt through a first baffle clearance hole.
[0009] Furthermore, the first sensor and the second sensor are vision sensors.
[0010] Furthermore, the pushing mechanism includes: The receiving base is a two-section type, with a push groove in the lower section and a through hole for attaching the card in the upper section; The first push plate is connected to the second power source and can reciprocate through the pusher groove. The first push plate is connected to the slide rail assembly through a fixed block, and the other end is provided with a contour groove.
[0011] Furthermore, the pushing mechanism also includes a second push plate fixed to the power end of a third power source, the second push plate being vertically aligned with the receiving seat; The third power source and the third sensor are fixed to the second bracket.
[0012] Furthermore, the first moving part includes a first moving platform, which is connected to the power end of the fourth power source and the slide rail assembly respectively via a first connecting plate.
[0013] Furthermore, the second moving part includes a contour plate, which is connected to the power ends of the fifth power source and the sixth power source respectively through the second connecting plate and the third connecting plate. The fifth power source and the sixth power source respectively drive the contour plate to reciprocate along the X-axis and Y-axis in both directions. The face of the contour plate facing the convex plate has several sets of parallel limiting grooves.
[0014] Furthermore, the assembly component includes a seventh power source and a contour block, the contour block being connected to the seventh power source and having symmetrical limiting holes at its bottom.
[0015] Furthermore, the discharge assembly includes an eighth power source and a push block, the push block being connected to the eighth power source, and the power ends of the eighth power source and the seventh power source being perpendicular to each other; The discharge module includes a discharge frame and a conveying device. The discharge frame is hollow at the top and bottom and aligned with the first push plate and the conveying device.
[0016] Furthermore, the assembly unloading unit also includes a protrusion located between the receiving seat and the first moving stage.
[0017] In summary, this solution has the following advantages: This invention achieves full automation of the entire process of card processing, from storage, orientation calibration, and transmission to precise alignment with materials with pins, assembly, and finished product discharge, through the integrated design of the first feeding unit, the second feeding unit, and the assembly and unloading unit. No manual intervention is required, which greatly improves production efficiency.
[0018] The first feeding unit provided by this invention uses a visual sensor in the hopper and a photoelectric sensor in the first baffle to form dual-directional detection, ensuring that the card's closed opening is oriented accurately. The contouring structure of the conveyor belt's side tracks and the receiving seat prevents the card from being transported skewed. The contouring plate of the second feeding unit has a limiting groove that cooperates with the protrusion to achieve precise positioning of the pin. During assembly, the limiting hole of the contouring block further fixes the pin, ensuring a stable pressing process and ensuring that the pin and the card slot are precisely engaged, effectively reducing assembly errors.
[0019] The third sensor provided by this invention monitors the remaining amount of cards in the receiving seat in real time. When the remaining amount is insufficient, it automatically links the material hopper to feed materials, avoiding production interruptions due to material shortages. Each power source adopts a combination of servo motors and cylinders, ensuring stable power transmission, smooth connection between each process, and continuous batch production.
[0020] The supporting platform, slider and slide rail cooperation structure of the first moving stage provided by the present invention, as well as the two-section design of the receiving seat, improve the stability of the equipment during operation, reduce the impact of mechanical vibration on positioning accuracy, and extend the service life of the equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first conveying component and the pushing mechanism; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the upper section of the receiving seat; Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first push plate and the lower section of the receiving seat; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first feeding unit, the second feeding unit, and the assembly unloading unit; Figure 7 This is a top view of the first moving part; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second moving part; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly components and the unloading components; in: 100. First feeding unit; 110. Hopper; 111. Vibratory feeder; 112. First sensor; 120. First conveying assembly; 121. First support; 122. Conveyor belt; 123. First power source; 124. Track; 125. First baffle; 126. Second sensor; 130. Pushing mechanism; 131. Receiving seat; 1311. Contouring through hole; 1312. Pushing groove; 132. Second power source; 133. First push plate; 1331. Contouring groove; 134. First slider; 1341. First slide rail; 135. Third power source; 1351. Second push plate; 136. Third sensor; 137. Second support; 138. Working plate; 200. Second feeding unit; 210. First moving part; 211. First moving table; 212. Fourth power source; 213. Second slider; 214. Second slide rail; 215. First connecting plate; 216. Protruding plate; 217. Limiting channel; 220. Second moving part; 221. Contouring plate; 2211. Limiting groove; 222. Fifth power source; 2221. Third slider; 2222. Third slide rail; 2223. Second connecting plate; 2224. Connecting block; 223. Sixth power source; 2231. Fourth slider; 2232. Fourth slide rail; 2233. Third connecting plate; 300. Assembly and unloading unit; 310. Assembly component; 311. Seventh power source; 312. Contouring block; 313. Limiting hole; 320. Discharge component; 321. Eighth power source; 322. Push block; 330. Discharge module; 331. Discharge frame; 332. Conveying device; 340. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The present solution will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Example 1: A card assembly station, such as Figure 1-9 As shown, it includes a first feeding unit 100, a second feeding unit 200, and an assembly unloading unit 300 disposed at the intersection of the two.
[0023] The first feeding unit 100 is used to feed cards and includes a hopper 110, a first conveying component 120 and a pushing mechanism 130.
[0024] The hopper 110 is used to store cards and is equipped with a vibratory feeder 111 and a first sensor 112. The card is adjusted at an angle by the vibratory feeder 111 and the first sensor 112 identifies the discharge direction of the card to ensure that the closed end faces the conveying direction. After the direction is correct, the card enters the first conveying component 120.
[0025] The first conveying assembly 120 is used to convey cards and includes a first support 121. A conveyor belt 122 is fixed on the first support 121. A first power source 123 of the conveyor belt 122 is fixed on the first support 121. Tracks 124 are provided on both sides of the conveyor belt 122 to limit the sides of the cards. The cards are conveyed on the belt in the middle of the track 124. The belt width is adapted to the card. First baffles 125 are fixed on both sides of the track 124 to limit the outer side of the belt. A second sensor 126 is provided on the first baffle 125. Its detection end monitors the direction of the cards on the conveyor belt 122 through the avoidance hole on the first baffle 125 to ensure that the closed end faces the pushing mechanism 130. The cards reach the top of the pushing mechanism 130 through the conveyor belt 122.
[0026] In this embodiment, the first power source 123 is a servo motor; the first sensor 112 and the second sensor 126 are vision sensors.
[0027] The receiving seat 131 has a two-section structure, which is fixed in the middle by a connector. The lower section of the receiving seat is fixed on the assembly plate, and a push groove 1312 for the first push plate 133 to pass through is provided in the middle. The upper section of the receiving seat has a hollow contoured through hole 1311, and the inner wall of the contoured through hole 1311 is fitted with a card to form a U-shaped structure.
[0028] The first push plate 133 is fixed to the slide rail assembly and the second power source 132 respectively by a fixing block. The second power source 132 is a cylinder. The first push plate 133 is driven to reciprocate in the push groove 1312 by the second power source 132. One end of the first push plate 133 is fixed on the fixing block. The fixing block is slidably connected to the first slide rail 1341 by the first slider 134. The other end is a contour groove 1331. The shape of the contour groove 1331 fits the card. The protrusions on both sides of the groove support the card. After the card falls into the contour groove 1331, it is flush with the top surface of the first push plate 133.
[0029] Specifically, the pushing mechanism 130 is used to push cards into the assembly unloading unit 300, including a receiving seat 131, a second power source 132, a third power source 135, and a third sensor 136. The third power source 135 and the third sensor 136 are fixed on a second bracket 137, which is fixed to the production line via a working plate 138. A first push plate 133 is connected to the second power source 132 and reciprocates along the X-axis, passing through the receiving seat 131 from the side. The power end of the third power source 135 is fixed to the second push plate 1351, which is vertically aligned with the receiving seat 131 and reciprocates along the Z-axis under the drive of the third power source 135. The third sensor 136 is used to monitor the remaining card quantity in the receiving seat 131. When the remaining quantity is lower than a specified height, a signal is uploaded and the material hopper 110 is activated to feed the card.
[0030] The second feeding unit 200 includes a first moving part 210 and a second moving part 220. The first moving part 210 can reciprocate along the X-axis. The second moving part 220 cooperates with the first moving part 210 to realize the limiting and conveying of materials. The second moving part 220 can reciprocate along the X-axis and Y-axis in both directions.
[0031] The first moving part 210 includes a support platform, a first moving platform 211, a fourth power source 212, a second slider 213, and a second slide rail 214. The support platform provides stable support for the first moving platform 211. The first moving platform 211 is fixed to the second slider 213 through a first connecting plate 215. One side of the first connecting plate 215 is connected to the power end of the fourth power source 212.
[0032] The fourth power source 212 is a servo motor, which is fixedly connected to the second slider 213 at the bottom. The second slider 213 is slidably engaged with the second slide rail 214, which is fixed on the worktable. The fourth power source 212 is arranged parallel to the first moving table 211. A protruding plate 216 is vertically arranged on the top of the first moving table 211. A limiting channel 217 is opened at the intersection of the protruding plate 216 and the top surface of the first moving table 211. The protruding plate 216 cooperates with the second moving part 220 to limit the material.
[0033] The second moving part 220 includes a contour plate 221, a fifth power source 222, a sixth power source 223, a third slider 2221, a third slide rail 2222, a fourth slider 2231, and a fourth slide rail 2232. The contour plate 221 is fixed in parallel to the third slider 2221 via a second connecting plate 2223. One side of the second connecting plate 2223 is fixed to the power end of the fifth power source 222 via a connecting block 2224.
[0034] The fifth power source 222 is a cylinder. The third slider 2221 is slidably engaged with the third slide rail 2222. The third slide rail 2222 and the fifth power source 222 are both fixed on the top of the third connecting plate 2233. The bottom of the third connecting plate 2233 is fixed to the power end of the sixth power source 223.
[0035] The sixth power source 223 is a servo motor, and it slides in cooperation with the fourth slide rail 2232 through the fourth slider 2231. The fourth slide rail 2232 is fixed on the worktable.
[0036] The contour plate 221 is arranged parallel to the protrusion plate 216 of the first moving table 211. Several sets of limiting grooves 2211 are provided on the plane facing the protrusion plate 216. Each set of limiting grooves 2211 has two grooves that are parallel to each other and are used to limit the two pins on the material.
[0037] The assembly unloading unit 300 is arranged above and below the protrusion 340, and includes an assembly component 310, an unloading component 320 and an unloading module 330. The protrusion 340 is arranged between the receiving seat 131 and the first moving stage 211, and its bottom is fixed to the receiving seat 131 by a second baffle.
[0038] The assembly component 310 is located above the protrusion 340 and includes a seventh power source 311 and a contour block 312. The seventh power source 311 is a cylinder, and its power end is connected to the contour block 312. The bottom of the contour block 312 is provided with symmetrical limiting holes 313, which are aligned with the tops of the two pins below.
[0039] The discharge assembly 320 and the assembly assembly 310 are fixed on the second bracket 137, including an eighth power source 321 and a push block 322. The eighth power source 321 is a cylinder, and its power end is fixed to the push block 322. The power end of the eighth power source 321 and the power end of the seventh power source 311 are perpendicular to each other.
[0040] The discharge module 330 includes a discharge frame 331 and a conveying device 332. The discharge frame 331 is hollow at the top and bottom, with the first push plate 133 directly above it and the conveying device 332 below it. The conveying device 332 is a belt conveyor.
[0041] Further explanation based on its usage mechanism: S1, Dual Material Precision Feeding 1. Card loading: After the cards in the hopper 110 are oriented by the vibratory feeder 111, the vision sensor selects the cards with the correct closed-end orientation and they enter the conveyor belt 122. The photoelectric sensor verifies the orientation a second time, and qualified cards are sent to the receiving seat 131. The third power source 135 drives the second push plate 1351 to press the cards into the conformal through hole 1311 of the receiving seat 131 for calibration. The cards fall into the conformal groove 1331 of the first push plate 133 for stacking and buffering. The third sensor 136 monitors the remaining amount and automatically replenishes the material when it is insufficient. The second power source 132 drives the first push plate 133 to push the cards to the assembly station. The second baffle limits the tilting and the card slots face upwards to wait for docking. 2. Material feeding with pins: The second feeding unit 200 receives materials from the previous process. The fourth power source 212 drives the first moving table 211 for coarse positioning along the X-axis, and the protruding plate 216 limits the movement to prevent shaking. The fifth power source 222 and the sixth power source 223 drive the contour plate 221 for fine adjustment along the X-axis and Y-axis, and the limiting groove 2211 fits two pins to accurately deliver the material to the top of the assembly station, with the pins aligned with the card slots.
[0042] S2. Assembly and unloading 1. Assembly: The seventh power source 311 drives the contour block 312 to press down, and the bottom limiting hole 313 fixes the top of the pin. Under the pressure, the lower end groove of the pin is pressurized and engaged with the card slot to complete the assembly. 2. Discharge: After the contour block 312 is reset, the eighth power source 321 drives the push block 322 to push the finished product away from the first push plate 133. The finished product falls into the belt conveyor through the discharge frame 331 and is transported to the receiving area.
[0043] S3, Reset Cycle All components are reset, the first feeding unit 100 pushes the next card, and the second feeding unit 200 receives the next set of materials, entering the next assembly cycle.
[0044] In summary, the present invention provided in this application, through the integrated design of the first feeding unit, the second feeding unit, and the assembly unloading unit, realizes full automation of the entire process of cards from storage, orientation calibration, and transmission to precise alignment with materials with pins, assembly, and finished product discharge, without the need for manual intervention, thus greatly improving production efficiency.
[0045] The first feeding unit provided in this application uses a visual sensor in the hopper and a photoelectric sensor in the first baffle to form dual-directional detection, ensuring that the card's closed opening is accurately oriented; the contouring structure of the conveyor belt's side tracks and the receiving seat prevents the card from being skewed during transport; the contouring plate of the second feeding unit has a limiting groove that cooperates with the protruding plate to achieve precise positioning of the pin; during assembly, the limiting hole of the contouring block further fixes the pin, ensuring a stable pressing process and ensuring that the pin and the card slot are precisely engaged, effectively reducing assembly errors.
[0046] The third sensor provided in this application monitors the remaining amount of cards in the receiving seat in real time. When the remaining amount is insufficient, it automatically links to feed materials into the hopper to avoid production interruption due to material shortage. Each power source adopts a combination of servo motors and cylinders, ensuring stable power transmission, smooth connection between each process, and continuous batch production.
[0047] The support platform, slider and slide rail cooperation structure of the first moving stage provided in this application, as well as the two-section design of the receiving seat, improve the stability of the equipment during operation, reduce the impact of mechanical vibration on positioning accuracy, and extend the service life of the equipment.
[0048] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this solution, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this solution and implement it accordingly. They should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this solution. All equivalent transformations or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this solution should be included within the scope of protection of this solution.
[0049] In the description of this solution, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can be mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can be internal connections between two components.
[0050] Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this solution based on the specific circumstances.
[0051] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary and not restrictive. Any obvious or equivalent modifications or substitutions made by those skilled in the art regarding the above details without departing from the basic principles of this solution will be included within the scope of protection of this solution.
Claims
1. A card assembly station, characterized in that, It includes a first feeding unit (100) for feeding cards, a second feeding unit (200) for feeding materials with pins, and an assembly unloading unit (300) located at the intersection of the two. The first feeding unit (100) includes a hopper (110), a first conveying assembly (120), and a pushing mechanism (130). The second feeding unit (200) includes a first moving part (210) that can move along the X-axis and a second moving part (220) that can move bidirectionally along the X-axis and Y-axis. The assembly unloading unit (300) includes an assembly component (310), an unloading component (320), and an unloading module (330).
2. The card assembly station according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hopper (110) is equipped with a vibratory feeder (111) and a first sensor (112). In the first conveying assembly (120), the conveyor belt (122) is connected to the first power source (123) and fixed to the first bracket (121), and the detection end of the second sensor (126) extends above the conveyor belt (122) through the clearance hole of the first baffle (125).
3. The card assembly station according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sensor (112) and the second sensor (126) are vision sensors.
4. The card assembly station according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pushing mechanism (130) includes: The receiving seat (131) is a two-section type. The lower section of the receiving seat is provided with a push groove (1312), and the upper section of the receiving seat is provided with a contoured through hole (1311) for attaching the card. The first push plate (133) is connected to the second power source (132) and can reciprocate through the push groove (1312). The first push plate (133) is connected to the slide rail assembly through a fixed block, and the other end is provided with a contour groove (1331).
5. The card assembly station according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pushing mechanism (130) also includes a third power source (135), and a second push plate (1351) is fixed at the power end of the third power source (135). The second push plate (1351) is vertically aligned with the receiving seat (131). The third power source (135) and the third sensor (136) are fixed to the second bracket (137).
6. The card assembly station according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first moving part (210) includes a first moving platform (211), which is connected to the power end of the fourth power source (212) and the slide rail assembly via a first connecting plate (215).
7. The card assembly station according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second moving part (220) includes a contour plate (221), which is connected to the power ends of the fifth power source (222) and the sixth power source (223) respectively through the second connecting plate (2223) and the third connecting plate (2233). The fifth power source (222) and the sixth power source (223) respectively drive the contour plate (221) to reciprocate along the X-axis and Y-axis. The contour plate (221) has several sets of parallel limiting grooves (2211) on the surface facing the convex plate (216).
8. The card assembly station according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly component (310) includes a seventh power source (311) and a contour block (312). The contour block (312) is connected to the seventh power source (311) and has symmetrical limiting holes (313) at its bottom.
9. The card assembly station according to claim 8, characterized in that, The discharge assembly (320) includes an eighth power source (321) and a pusher (322). The pusher (322) is connected to the eighth power source (321), and the power ends of the eighth power source (321) and the seventh power source (311) are perpendicular to each other. The discharge module (330) includes a discharge frame (331) and a conveying device (332). The discharge frame (331) is hollow at the top and bottom and aligned with the first push plate (133) and the conveying device (332).
10. The card assembly station according to claim 9, characterized in that, The assembly unloading unit (300) also includes a protrusion (340) located between the receiving seat (131) and the first moving stage (211).