Hot press assembly apparatus and production line body

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of intelligent equipment, and particularly relates to a hot-pressing assembly device and a production line body, wherein the hot-pressing assembly device comprises a rack, a moving mechanism, a heating assembly and a positioning piece, the moving mechanism is arranged on the rack, the moving mechanism has a reciprocating heating stroke and a reciprocating assembly stroke; the heating assembly is connected with the moving mechanism, the heating assembly has a heating head which can be heated, the heating head is configured to carry a nut and heat the nut in a first posture; the positioning piece is fixedly arranged on the rack, the positioning piece is configured to carry and position a watchcase so that the watchcase is in a second posture; the moving mechanism is configured to drive the heating assembly to move along the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke in sequence, so that the nut in the first posture and heated is assembled into the watchcase in the second posture. The main purpose of the present application is to provide a hot-pressing assembly device, which is intended to heat the nut in a manner so that the nut is fixed to the watchcase in the second posture in the first posture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent device technology, and in particular to a hot pressing assembly equipment and production line. Background Technology

[0002] Wearable smart devices such as smartwatches and smart bracelets integrate health monitoring, information interaction, and mobile internet functions, and have become important portable smart terminals in people's daily lives, providing users with convenient and personalized digital experiences.

[0003] Wearable smart devices typically include a case and functional components. The functional components are fixed inside the case by screws to achieve their corresponding functions. Due to the special requirements of their own structure, some functional components require the threads used to fix them to be perpendicular to the inner wall of the case. However, due to the thinness of the case, directly drilling threads on the inner wall of the case increases the processing difficulty of the case and is not conducive to the overall production speed and yield of wearable smart devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a hot-press assembly device that, by heating the nut, fixes it in a first position to the watch case in a second position, so that the thread of the nut is perpendicular to the side wall of the watch case.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the hot-press assembly equipment is used to assemble nuts and watch cases, and the hot-press assembly equipment includes:

[0006] frame; An active mechanism is mounted on the frame and has a reciprocating heating stroke and a reciprocating assembly stroke. A heating assembly connected to the movable mechanism, the heating assembly having a heatable heating head configured to carry the nut and heat the nut in a first position; and A positioning element, which is fixedly mounted on the frame, is configured to support and position the watch case so that the watch case is in a second posture. The active mechanism is configured to drive the heating component to move sequentially along the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke, so that the nut in the first posture and being heated is assembled into the watch case in the second posture, wherein the axis of the nut in the first posture is perpendicular to the inner wall of the watch case in the second posture.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the movable mechanism includes a first motion module, a second motion module, and a movable component. The movable component is movably disposed on the first motion module, and the lifting end of the second motion module is fixedly connected to the first motion module. The heating component is fixedly connected to the movable component. The first motion module is configured to drive the movable part to perform a reciprocating heating stroke along a first direction, and the second motion module is configured to drive the movable part, after completing the reciprocating heating stroke, to perform a reciprocating assembly stroke along a second direction. The first direction is set along the length direction of the frame, and the second direction is set along the height direction of the frame. The length direction of the frame is perpendicular to the height direction of the frame.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame has a nut loading station, a nut heating station, and a nut assembly station; the first motion module is configured to first drive the movable part to move along the reciprocating heating stroke from the nut loading station to the nut heating station, and then move from the nut heating station to the nut loading station; the second motion module is configured to move the heated nut from the nut loading station to the nut assembly station.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the nut loading station and the nut heating station are aligned along the first direction, and the nut assembly station and the nut loading station are aligned along the second direction.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame further includes a limiting component, the limiting component including a first limiting block and a second limiting block fixedly disposed thereon, the first limiting block being configured to stop the movable part from the nut loading station, and the second limiting block being configured to stop the movable part from the nut assembly station.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame further includes a guide assembly, the guide assembly including a support plate and a guide rod, the guide rod extending along the second direction and penetrating through the support plate along the second direction; the first motion module is disposed on the side of the support plate facing the positioning member, and the second motion module is disposed on the side of the support plate facing away from the positioning member; The lifting end of the second motion module is fixedly connected to the side of the bearing plate facing away from the pressure holding component, so that the bearing plate can reciprocate linearly along the second direction on the guide rod.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly further includes a heating rod and a heat-conducting block, the heating rod being disposed in the heat-conducting block, and the heating head being fixedly disposed on the heat-conducting block; the heat-conducting block is fixedly connected to the movable member.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly further includes a heat insulation plate, the heat insulation plate being fixedly disposed on the movable member, and the heat-conducting block being fixedly disposed on the side of the heat insulation plate facing away from the movable member.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hot pressing assembly equipment further includes a pressure holding component, the pressure holding component including a pressure holding drive and a pressure holding member, the pressure holding member being fixedly connected to the output end of the pressure holding drive, the pressure holding drive being configured to drive the pressure holding member to rotate toward the positioning member, so that the pressure holding member can apply pressure to the case located on the positioning member.

[0015] The present invention also proposes a production line body, including the hot pressing assembly equipment as described in any one of the above-mentioned methods.

[0016] In this technical solution, the hot-press assembly equipment utilizes an automated hot-press process that allows for heating and assembly of the nut. This solves the problems of high processing difficulty, low production efficiency, and low yield caused by the requirement for the thread to be perpendicular to the sidewall of the watch case. Specifically, the heating component has a heatable heating head to support and heat the nut. The moving mechanism drives the heating component to move sequentially along the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke. The nut in the first position is heated first, and then pressed into the watch case. Simultaneously, the positioning component is fixed to the frame to support and position the watch case, ensuring that the watch case is in the second position so that the axis of the nut is perpendicular to its inner sidewall. In this way, this solution reduces the processing difficulty of the watch case, avoids directly machining complex vertical thread structures on the watch case, simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves production efficiency and consistency through automated continuous operation and precise positioning. It also reduces manual adjustment time, increases assembly speed and accuracy, and improves assembly yield. Because the heated nut is easier to embed into the watch case, a tight connection between the nut and the watch case is achieved through thermoplastic deformation or hot-melt bonding, reducing thread damage or loosening. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of the hot-press assembly equipment provided by the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0019] Explanation of icon numbers: 100. Hot pressing assembly equipment; 10. Rack; 20. Motion mechanism; 21. First motion module; 22. Second motion module; 23. Motion component; 30. Heating assembly; 31. Heating head; 32. Heating rod; 33. Heat-conducting block; 34. Heat insulation plate; 40. Positioning components; 50. Guide assembly; 51. Support plate; 52. Guide rod; 60. Pressure holding assembly; 61. Pressure holding drive component; 62. Pressure holding component.

[0020] 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

[0021] 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.

[0022] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0023] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is 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. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "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 a person 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.

[0024] The main objective of this invention is to provide a hot-press assembly device 100, which aims to fix the nut to the watch case in a second posture by heating the nut, so that the nut thread is perpendicular to the side wall of the watch case.

[0025] To achieve the above objectives, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hot press assembly equipment 100 is used to assemble nuts and watch cases. The hot press assembly equipment 100 includes: Rack 10; The movable mechanism 20 is mounted on the frame 10 and has a reciprocating heating stroke and a reciprocating assembly stroke. A heating assembly 30 is connected to a movable mechanism 20. The heating assembly 30 has a heatable heating head 31, which is configured to carry a nut and heat the nut in a first position. Positioning element 40 is fixedly mounted on frame 10. Positioning element 40 is configured to support and position the watch case so that the watch case is in a second posture. The moving mechanism 20 is configured to drive the heating assembly 30 to move sequentially along the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke, so that the nut in the first posture and being heated is assembled into the watch case in the second posture, and the thread axis of the nut in the first posture is located on the inner wall of the watch case in the second posture.

[0026] First, it needs to be explained that the casing used by the hot press assembly equipment 100 is a composite structure, which includes a rigid metal casing as the main support structure and a plastic layer attached to the inner surface of the metal casing. The hot press assembly equipment 100 achieves the special structural requirement that the thread axis of the nut is perpendicular to the inner wall of the metal casing by having the heated nut directly contact and melt the inner plastic layer, and then fixing the nut firmly after cooling and solidification.

[0027] Specifically, the frame 10 serves as the main load-bearing structure and foundation of the entire hot press assembly equipment 100. Its body is typically constructed by welding or splicing high-strength structural steel or aluminum alloy profiles, forming a stable and rigid frame. The frame 10 not only provides the physical reference surface and connection points for the mechanical installation of all subsequent functional modules, but its internal space and surface are also often used to organize and lay out the equipment's control units, motion drive modules, pneumatic or hydraulic power sources, and safety protection components, thereby integrating the mechanical parts and electrical control system of the equipment into a coordinated and operating whole.

[0028] The movable mechanism 20 is fixedly installed on a specific working plane of the frame 10. Its core function is to provide and control the two ordered linear reciprocating motions required by the heating component 30: the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke. Specifically, the movable mechanism 20 can be a precision linear module integrating a high-precision linear guide, a ball screw, and a servo motor, or it can be a piston mechanism driven by a cylinder and guided by a precision slide rail; no limitation is made here. The control system of the movable mechanism 20 can precisely set its speed, position, and pause sequence, thereby ensuring that the heating component 30 connected to the movable mechanism 20 can first move to the nut heating station to heat the nut, and then accurately move the heated nut along a straight path and press it into the corresponding position of the watch case to be assembled.

[0029] The heating assembly 30 can be directly and fixedly connected to the movable output end of the movable mechanism 20 via a connecting plate and a heat insulation plate 34, thereby enabling it to be driven by the movable mechanism 20 for overall movement. The heating assembly 30 has a heatable heating head 31, which can be made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity and high-temperature strength, such as beryllium copper or a special copper alloy. The working end of the heating head 31 is machined into a bearing step or slot structure that matches the nut to be assembled, so as to stably maintain the nut in the required initial position during heating and transfer.

[0030] To ensure that the watch case, composed of a metal casing and an inner plastic layer, maintains the correct and stable spatial orientation under the force of hot pressing assembly, the hot pressing assembly equipment 100 is also equipped with a positioning element 40. The positioning element 40 is securely mounted on the worktable of the frame 10 by bolts or other fastening methods, and is located at the final position of the reciprocating assembly stroke of the heating component 30. In one embodiment, the positioning element 40 is a precision clamp or fixture designed to conform to the shape of the watch case. It contains a positioning block and clamping mechanism made of wear-resistant material that matches the shape of the metal casing of the watch case. By reliably supporting and constraining the metal part of the watch case, the positioning element 40 can firmly define and fix the entire watch case on the hot pressing assembly equipment 100, providing a reference target for the subsequent hot pressing process.

[0031] Throughout the assembly process, the moving mechanism 20 first drives the heating assembly 30, carrying the nut, to move along a reciprocating heating stroke, causing the heating head 31 to reach the heating station and continuously heat the nut. Once the nut is heated to a predetermined temperature, the moving mechanism 20 then drives the heating assembly 30 along a reciprocating assembly stroke, making a linear feed motion towards the watch case, which has been firmly fixed by the positioning component 40. Under the motion control of the control unit, the high-temperature nut, which is in the first posture and carried by the heating head 31, is smoothly and vertically pressed against a predetermined position on the inner wall of the watch case. When the nut first contacts the inner surface of the watch case, one end face of the high-temperature nut initially contacts the plastic layer inside the watch case. The heat rapidly melts the plastic in the contact area. As the lifting force continuously applied by the moving mechanism 20, the nut is stably pressed into the softened plastic layer along its axial direction, perpendicular to the inner wall of the case. This melting process makes the nut appear as if it is embedded, with its cylindrical or structurally specific main body gradually surrounded and filled by the molten plastic until only the initially contacting end face remains exposed outside the plastic layer, while the remaining surfaces are completely encased in plastic. This melting process determines the orientation and final state of the nut. Geometrically, this is similar to mounting the function buttons of a watch case perpendicular to the side wall on the outside of the case. The difference is that in this embodiment, the nut is mounted on the inner side wall of the case in the same perpendicular relationship. Under pressure, the area on the inner side of the watch case that was heated and melted by the nut begins to cool, and the molten plastic re-solidifies. Through the shrinkage and clamping force of the cooled and solidified plastic and the mechanical interlocking structure formed between the outer surface structure of the nut and the plastic, the nut is firmly embedded in the plastic layer of the watch case. This achieves the design requirement that the thread axis of the nut is perpendicular to the inner side wall of the metal case, and finally completes the entire automated hot pressing assembly process.

[0032] It is understandable that the nut can be placed on the bearing position of the heating head 31 manually by an operator, or automatically picked up and placed by an automated feeding mechanism such as a robotic arm, vibratory feeder, or linear feeder. Similarly, the watch case can be assembled onto the positioning component 40 manually, or precisely automatically fed and positioned using an automated handling robotic arm in conjunction with a vision positioning system. The specific feeding and placement methods for the nut and watch case can be selected and configured according to the automation level, capacity requirements, and cost considerations of the actual production line, and this invention does not limit them.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The moving mechanism 20 includes a first moving module 21, a second moving module 22, and a moving part 23. The moving part 23 is movably mounted on the first moving module 21. The lifting end of the second moving module 22 is fixedly connected to the first moving module 21. The heating component 30 is fixedly connected to the moving part 23. The first motion module 21 is configured to drive the movable part 23 to perform a reciprocating heating stroke along the first direction, and the second motion module 22 is configured to drive the movable part 23, which has completed the reciprocating heating stroke, to perform a reciprocating assembly stroke along the second direction. The first direction is set along the length direction of the frame 10, and the second direction is set along the height direction of the frame 10. The length direction of the frame 10 is perpendicular to the height direction of the frame 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first motion module 21 is fixedly mounted on the frame 10. It can be a high-precision linear module driven by a servo motor. The module includes a rigid aluminum alloy or steel body, linear guide rails, and a ball screw pair. The core function of the first motion module 21 is configured to drive the components connected to its moving parts to perform horizontal linear reciprocating motion along the length direction parallel to the frame 10 (i.e., the first direction). This motion path is the reciprocating heating stroke, which is mainly used to transfer the heating component 30 and the nut it carries between the heating station and the loading station.

[0035] The movable component 23 is a connecting member with sufficient rigidity. Its material can be hard aluminum alloy or steel. The movable component 23 is movably mounted on the linear guide rail of the first motion module 21 by a slider or connecting plate, and is directly or indirectly driven by the ball screw nut of the first motion module 21, so that it can strictly follow the first motion module 21 to move in the first direction. The heating component 30 is directly fixed to the movable component 23 by a mounting plate or flange. Therefore, the horizontal movement of the heating component 30 is completely controlled by the first motion module 21 through the movable component 23.

[0036] The second motion module 22 is also securely mounted on the main structure of the frame 10. It can be a servo electric cylinder or a lifting slide driven by a servo motor. The lifting end of the second motion module 22 (i.e., its motion output end, such as the piston rod end of the electric cylinder or the moving platform of the lifting slide) is fixedly connected to the base or main body of the first motion module 21. Thus, for the second motion module 22, the entire first motion module 21, together with its movable parts 23 and heating components 30, is mounted as a whole on the lifting end of the second motion module 22. The second motion module 22 is configured to drive this whole unit to perform vertical vertical reciprocating motion along the height direction of the frame 10 (i.e., the second direction) perpendicular to the length direction of the frame 10. This motion path is the reciprocating assembly stroke, used to finally press the heated nut vertically into the case.

[0037] In this part of the technical solution, the first motion module 21 is used for precise horizontal positioning, ensuring that the nut accurately reaches the heating position and the assembly starting position; the second motion module 22 is dedicated to precise vertical pressing, providing the positive pressure required for assembly. Crucially, since the lifting end of the second motion module 22 directly drives the entire first motion module 21, for the second motion module 22, the first motion module 21 and its supporting movable part 23 and heating component 30 are a synchronously moving rigid whole. This design ensures that the positioning accuracy of the movable part 23 and the heating component 30 in the vertical direction (second direction) depends entirely on the accuracy of the second motion module 22 itself, effectively avoiding the problem of vertical error accumulation that might occur if a two-stage series motion (i.e., the movable part 23 can also move in the second direction relative to the first module) were used. The movable component 23 and the first motion module 21 maintain a fixed relative position in the vertical direction. They move synchronously during the assembly and pressing process, significantly improving the vertical stability and repeatability of the heating head 31 (and the nut) relative to the housing during the final pressing stage. This is crucial for ensuring that the nut thread is perpendicular to the inner wall of the housing. Simultaneously, this structure makes the equipment layout more compact and the motion control logic clearer, which helps improve the rigidity of the equipment and its long-term operational reliability.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The frame 10 has a nut loading station, a nut heating station, and a nut assembly station; the first motion module 21 is configured to first drive the movable part 23 to move along the reciprocating heating stroke from the nut loading station to the nut heating station, and then move from the nut heating station to the nut loading station; the second motion module 22 is configured to move the heated nut from the nut loading station to the nut assembly station.

[0039] In this embodiment, the frame 10 includes an initial station, a nut loading station, a nut heating station, and a nut assembly station. When the hot pressing assembly equipment 100 is started for the first time or restarted after a long period of standby, the heating head 31, driven by the movable mechanism 20, is initially positioned in the initial station. At this initial station, the heating component 30 is powered on to activate its heating function, preheating the heating head 31 from room temperature to a stable first temperature, completing the preparation work before the equipment is put into use. This preheating process ensures that the heating head 31 itself has a uniform temperature, laying the foundation for the subsequent accurate and efficient transfer of heat to the nut.

[0040] After preheating, the moving mechanism 20 drives the heating component 30 from the initial working position to the nut loading station. At the nut loading station, the operator or the automated loading mechanism places the nut to be assembled onto the bearing position of the heating head 31, so that the nut is stably held in the first posture.

[0041] Subsequently, the first motion module 21 drives the heating component 30 and the moving part 23, which carry the nut, to move along the first direction from the nut loading station to the nut heating station. At the nut heating station, the heating component 30 continuously heats the nut, raising its temperature from the first temperature to the second temperature required by the process. This second temperature is a set value higher than the first temperature, and its specific value can be set and adjusted according to the material of the nut, the melting point of the plastic inside the casing, and the desired fusion effect, to ensure that the plastic can be effectively melted without causing thermal damage to the nut or casing.

[0042] After the nut is heated to the second temperature at the nut heating station, the first motion module 21 drives the movable part 23 and the heating component 30, carrying the heated nut, to return from the nut heating station to the nut loading station along the original path. At this time, at the nut assembly station, the positioning part 40 has completed the loading and fixing of the watch case, and the watch case is defined in the second posture and ready.

[0043] Finally, the second motion module 22 is activated, driving the entire first motion module 21, moving part 23, and heating component 30 connected to its lifting end to rise along the second direction from the height of the nut loading station to the nut assembly station. During this process, the nut, heated to the second temperature, is smoothly and vertically pressed into the predetermined position on the inner wall of the watch case, completing the hot-press assembly and thus firmly assembling the nut to the inner surface of the watch case.

[0044] In this embodiment, the hot press assembly equipment 100 optimizes the complete work cycle from equipment startup to continuous operation by planning a clear workstation layout and process sequence, including the initial workstation. The preheating stage of the hot press assembly equipment 100 ensures the thermal stability and repeatability of the initial stage of the process. Furthermore, by allowing independent setting and adjustment of the second temperature, the hot press assembly equipment 100 can flexibly adapt to nuts and plastics of different materials, thereby improving the versatility and controllability of the process. Crucially, the structural and motion sequence design of the hot press assembly equipment 100 allows the independent heating process of the nut at the heating station to be completely parallel in time with the case loading and fixing operations performed by the operator at the assembly station, reducing waiting time between processes and improving the overall production efficiency and automation level of the hot press assembly equipment 100.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The nut feeding station and the nut heating station are aligned along the first direction, and the nut assembly station and the nut feeding station are aligned along the second direction.

[0046] In this embodiment, the nut loading station and the nut heating station are aligned in a straight line along the first direction (i.e., the length direction of the frame 10). The alignment of the nut loading station and the nut heating station means that the center point or key operation point (such as the initial station) of the two stations is located on the same straight line parallel to the first direction. This allows the first motion module 21 to drive the movable part 23 to move between the two stations, so that it can perform efficient and precise reciprocating motion along a straight path without lateral offset.

[0047] Meanwhile, the nut assembly station and the nut loading station are aligned in a straight line along the second direction (i.e., the height direction of the frame 10, which is usually the vertical direction). The alignment of the nut assembly station and the nut loading station means that the nut assembly station is directly above or below the loading station in space, so that when the second motion module 22 drives the heating component 30 to complete the pressing action, it can move vertically along a straight path that is strictly perpendicular to the first direction.

[0048] In this embodiment, the initial station is used as a reference point. The nut loading station can be considered as being located on one side of this reference point (e.g., the left side), and the nut heating station is located on the other side of the reference point (e.g., the right side). The three are arranged sequentially along the first direction, and the nut assembly station is located directly above the nut loading station. Thus, the first direction (horizontal left and right) and the second direction (vertical up and down) are spatially perpendicular to each other.

[0049] Based on the above spatial layout, this orthogonal linear alignment layout ensures that the movement paths of the first motion module 21 and the second motion module 22 are independent and perpendicular to each other, completely decoupling the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke. This effectively reduces the path error and mechanism interference risks that may be caused by complex curves or compound movements. Secondly, the hot press assembly equipment 100 separates the heating station from the loading / assembly station in the horizontal direction, which is beneficial for local heat management and operational safety, and also facilitates the configuration of independent heat insulation or protection structures for the heating station. Furthermore, the horizontal movement of the nut from the loading station to the heating station and the vertical pressing from the (returned) loading station to the assembly station directly above form an efficient and non-interfering "L"-shaped movement path. The entire movement path is simple, which not only shortens unnecessary movement strokes and speeds up the production cycle, but also makes it easier to achieve high-precision positioning and control since each motion module has only one linear reciprocating direction. This improves the overall operating efficiency, reliability, and process consistency of the hot press assembly equipment 100.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The frame 10 also includes a limiting component, which includes a first limiting block and a second limiting block that are fixedly set. The first limiting block is configured to stop the movable part 23 from reaching the nut feeding station, and the second limiting block is configured to stop the movable part 23 from reaching the nut assembly station.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first limiting block is configured as a stop movable part 23 to precisely stop it at the nut loading station. The first limiting block can be a rigid component made of hard metal, which is fixed to the base or crossbeam of the frame 10 by bolt fastening or direct welding, and its installation position is precisely calibrated so that it is located near the end of the horizontal movement path corresponding to the nut loading station. When the movable part 23 moves toward the nut loading station in the first direction under the drive of the first motion module 21, the corresponding contact surface (such as boss, side or specially set bumper) on the movable part 23 will eventually make physical contact with the first limiting block. This contact constitutes a rigid mechanical stop, which can reliably prevent the movable part 23 from continuing to move in this direction, thereby accurately limiting and stabilizing the nut carried by the heating head 31 at the predetermined coordinates of the nut loading station, providing a precise starting position reference for subsequent loading or vertical pressing actions.

[0052] The second limiting block is configured to stop the movable part 23 precisely at the nut assembly station. The second limiting block can also be a rigid stop made of a hard material, fixed to the frame 10 in a similar manner to the first limiting block. The position of the second limiting block is set at the end of the vertical movement path corresponding to the nut assembly station. When the movable part 23, along with the entire first motion module 21, moves towards the nut assembly station in the second direction under the drive of the second motion module 22 and begins to contact the inner wall of the watch case, the movable part 23 has not yet contacted the second limiting block. When the nut is fully embedded in the inner wall of the watch case, the movable part 23 contacts the second limiting block, thus stopping the movement. This contact forms a rigid stop in the vertical direction, precisely limiting the final upward stroke, thereby ensuring that the heated nut is embedded into the plastic layer of the watch case with a preset pressure and depth, and then can enter the pressure holding and cooling stage.

[0053] In this embodiment, the physical stop formed by the first and second limit blocks eliminates the risk of overshoot or cumulative error that may exist if positioning is solely based on the feedback of the encoder inside the motion module. This ensures that the repeatability of the horizontal material position and the vertical pressing end point of the moving part 23 has extremely high mechanical certainty and long-term stability. Secondly, this mechanical limiting method has strong anti-interference ability and is not affected by electrical signal drift or control delay, which improves the reliability and safety of equipment operation. In particular, the precise limitation of the vertical pressing stroke by the second limit block is the key to ensuring that the pressing depth of each batch of nuts is consistent, thereby ensuring the perpendicularity of the thread and the connection strength, which is crucial for improving the consistency of the overall assembly quality.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The frame 10 also includes a guide assembly 50, which includes a support plate 51 and a guide rod 52. The guide rod 52 extends along a second direction and passes through the support plate 51 along the second direction. A first motion module 21 is located on the side of the support plate 51 facing the positioning member 40, and a second motion module 22 is located on the side of the support plate 51 away from the positioning member 40. The lifting end of the second motion module 22 is fixedly connected to the side of the bearing plate 51 facing away from the positioning member 40, so that the bearing plate 51 can reciprocate linearly along the second direction on the guide rod 52.

[0055] In this embodiment, the guide assembly 50 specifically includes a support plate 51 and at least one guide rod 52. Specifically, the support plate 51 is a rigid plate-shaped structure with a certain thickness and area, usually made of steel plate or high-strength aluminum alloy plate. Its function is to serve as the mounting base of the first motion module 21 and the load transfer platform of the lifting end of the second motion module 22. The guide rod 52 is at least one hard steel rod that has been precision ground or linearly chrome-plated, and its axis extends strictly parallel to the second direction (i.e., the vertical direction). When there are multiple guide rods 52, multiple guide rods 52 are arranged around each other. The lower ends of these guide rods 52 are fixed to the base frame of the frame 10 by flanges or threads, while the upper ends pass through precision linear bearings or bushing holes opened on the support plate 51, thereby penetrating the support plate 51 vertically along the second direction to form a sliding fit.

[0056] The first motion module 21 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the support plate 51 via its base, that is, the side facing the positioning member 40 (or understood as facing the working area, toward the positioning member 40 and the case). The main body of the second motion module 22 is fixedly mounted on the structure of the frame 10 and is located below the support plate 51, that is, the side away from the positioning member 40. The lifting end of the second motion module 22 (such as the piston rod end of a servo electric cylinder) is directly fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate 51 away from the positioning member 40 via a connector.

[0057] Therefore, when the second motion module 22 is activated, its lifting end directly drives the support plate 51 to move, and the support plate 51 then performs reciprocating linear lifting motion in the second direction along the path constrained by the guide rod 52. Since the first motion module 21 and its moving parts 23 and heating components 30 are all integrated on the support plate 51, they move vertically as a whole, and their motion trajectory is completely guided and limited by the guide rod 52 and the linear bearing pair.

[0058] In this embodiment, the additional guiding mechanism formed by the guide rod 52 and the support plate 51 enhances the entire moving component's resistance to bending moment and torsional load in the vertical direction, effectively preventing minor overturning or swaying that may occur due to cantilever structure or off-center loading, and ensuring the absolute stability of the verticality of the heating head 31 and nut relative to the casing during the pressing process. Secondly, the support plate 51, as a common mounting platform, realizes the integration and decoupling of the first motion module 21 and the second motion module 22 in terms of mechanical structure—the first module is responsible for horizontal movement, and the second module is responsible for vertical movement through the support plate 51. The two do not interfere with each other but work together, simplifying the mechanical transmission chain and improving the system rigidity and dynamic response characteristics.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heating assembly 30 also includes a heating rod 32 and a heat-conducting block 33. The heating rod 32 is disposed in the heat-conducting block 33, and the heating head 31 is fixedly disposed on the heat-conducting block 33. The heat-conducting block 33 is fixedly connected to the movable part 23.

[0060] In this embodiment, the heat-conducting block 33 is a structural component with high thermal conductivity, typically made of materials such as copper, beryllium copper alloy, or other high thermal conductivity metals. The heat-conducting block 33 is designed to have sufficient volume and mass to act as a medium for heat storage and temperature equalization. Its shape is typically square or cylindrical, with precisely machined mounting holes or channels inside. The heat-conducting block 33 is rigidly fixed to the moving part 23 using screws or other fastening methods, thereby securely mounting the entire heating assembly 30 onto the moving mechanism 20 and allowing it to move accordingly.

[0061] The heating rod 32 is a rod-shaped or tubular resistance heating element that is inserted or embedded in specially machined holes or cavities inside the heat-conducting block 33, forming a tight physical contact with the heat-conducting block 33. When energized, the heating rod 32 generates Joule heat, which is efficiently transferred to the heat-conducting block 33 surrounding it through the contact surface. The heating rod 32 typically integrates a thermocouple or works in conjunction with a separate thermocouple to form the sensing part of a closed-loop temperature control system, enabling precise monitoring and control of its own heating temperature.

[0062] As before, the heating head 31 is a component that directly contacts and heats the nut. In this embodiment, the heating head 31 is directly fixed to the outer surface of the heat-conducting block 33 via its base through threaded connection, interference fit, or welding. This design establishes a conduction path with extremely low thermal resistance between the heating head 31 and the heat-conducting block 33. The heat generated by the heating rod 32 is first quickly absorbed by the heat-conducting block 33, making its overall temperature tend to be uniform. Then, the heat is directly and efficiently transferred from the heat-conducting block 33 to the heating head 31, which is closely connected to it, through thermal conduction. Finally, the working surface of the heating head 31 transfers the heat to the nut it supports.

[0063] In this embodiment, the independent heat-conducting block 33 serves as the heat transfer center, achieving decoupling and efficient coupling between the heat source (heating rod 32) and the working terminal (heating head 31). Thanks to the excellent temperature uniformity of the heat-conducting block 33, it effectively eliminates potential localized overheating or cold spots in the heating rod 32, ensuring a highly uniform temperature field transferred to the heating head 31 and the entire nut. This guarantees consistent heating of the nut and avoids localized overheating or uneven plastic melting. Furthermore, this modular structure encapsulates the vulnerable heating rod 32 within the heat-conducting block 33, providing mechanical protection. The heating head 31, as a wear-prone terminal component, can be replaced individually, improving the maintainability and service life of the equipment.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heating assembly 30 also includes a heat insulation plate 34, which is fixedly mounted on the movable part 23, and a heat-conducting block 33 is fixedly mounted on the side of the heat insulation plate 34 facing away from the movable part 23.

[0065] In this embodiment, the heat insulation plate 34 is a plate-shaped structural component made of a low thermal conductivity material. It is usually made of materials such as ceramic fiber board, mica board or special high temperature resistant engineering plastics, which have both excellent heat insulation performance and sufficient mechanical strength. The heat insulation plate 34 is directly fixed to the side surface of the movable part 23 facing the working area by screws or other connectors.

[0066] The heat-conducting block 33 is fixedly installed on the side surface of the heat insulation plate 34 facing away from the movable part 23 by means of a connector. In other words, the heat insulation plate 34 is set between the movable part 23 and the heat-conducting block 33, separating the two in terms of physical space and mechanical connection, while connecting them into a whole moving part.

[0067] In this embodiment, the core function of the heat insulation plate 34 is to construct an effective thermal barrier. During equipment operation, the heat-conducting block 33 and the heating head 31 fixed thereon will continuously be at high temperatures. Without the heat insulation plate 34, the high temperature will be directly transferred from the heat-conducting block 33 to the metal moving part 23 through solid-state conduction, which may affect the guide rail, slider, and even other internal mechanical components of the rigidly connected first motion module 21, causing deformation or changes in preload due to thermal expansion, ultimately affecting motion accuracy. More importantly, the high temperature may be further transferred along the moving part 23 to the equipment frame 10, threatening the nearby electrical control module, sensor circuitry, or other temperature-sensitive electronic components. Long-term or excessively high temperatures will accelerate component aging, cause signal drift, and even lead to irreversible electrical performance degradation and malfunctions.

[0068] By setting up the heat insulation plate 34, the hot press assembly equipment 100 significantly blocks the main path of heat transfer from the high-temperature heat-conducting block 33 to the moving part 23 and its rear motion mechanism and electronic area. The heat insulation plate 34 utilizes the low thermal conductivity of its material to greatly reduce the heat flow, thereby effectively confining the high-temperature area to the working end of the heating component 30 (i.e., the heat-conducting block 33 and the heating head 31), protecting the subsequent precision motion mechanism and electrical control system so that the working environment temperature remains basically stable.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hot press assembly equipment 100 also includes a pressure holding assembly 60, which includes a pressure holding drive 61 and a pressure holding member 62. The pressure holding member 62 is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressure holding drive 61. The pressure holding drive 61 is configured to drive the pressure holding member 62 to rotate toward the positioning member 40 so that the pressure holding member 62 can apply pressure to the case located on the positioning member 40.

[0070] In this embodiment, the pressure holding assembly 60 includes a pressure holding drive 61 and a pressure holding member 62. The pressure holding drive 61 is a power source capable of providing controllable linear or rotary motion, such as a oscillating cylinder or a crank-connecting rod mechanism driven by a motor, which is fixedly mounted on the top of the frame 10. The pressure holding member 62 is a cover or pressure head that matches the external shape of the watch case, which is fixedly connected to the power output end of the pressure holding drive 61 via a connecting arm or a rotating shaft. The pressure holding drive 61 is configured to drive the pressure holding member 62 to rotate about a fulcrum or along an arc trajectory toward the positioning member 40, thereby covering and pressing it against the exterior of the watch case already mounted on the positioning member 40.

[0071] When the active mechanism 20 drives the high-temperature nut to press against the inner wall of the watch case, it applies pressure to the entire watch case. If the watch case has no external constraint, this pressure may cause a slight displacement or vibration of the watch case on the positioning component 40, thereby disrupting the precise alignment between the nut and the predetermined assembly position, ultimately leading to assembly failure or non-perpendicular thread alignment. The function of the pressure-holding component 62 is to apply a controllable constraint force from the outside of the watch case at this stage, firmly "locking" the watch case onto the positioning component 40, completely offsetting any displacement that may be caused by the internal pressing force, and ensuring absolute stability of the geometric relationship during the assembly process.

[0072] Specifically, the pressure-holding component 62 has a contoured cavity on the side facing the watch case. When the pressure-holding component 62 is rotated into place, this cavity can cover the outer contour of the watch case. The outer peripheral surface of the watch case will come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cavity of the pressure-holding component 62. In order to avoid the pressure-holding component 62, which is made of metal or hard material, directly contacting the watch case (especially its plastic or coated metal surface) and causing scratches, indentations or local deformation, multiple buffer blocks made of elastic material (such as silicone or polyurethane) are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cavity of the pressure-holding component 62, or a continuous elastic layer is attached as a whole. These elastomers will undergo controllable deformation when the pressure-holding component 62 applies pressure, thereby distributing the concentrated pressure evenly to the entire contact surface of the watch case. While providing sufficient restraint, it perfectly protects the appearance and structural integrity of the watch case from damage.

[0073] In this embodiment, the hot-press assembly equipment 100 actively applies external constraints to the casing, eliminating the critical failure risk of workpiece displacement caused by internal pressing force, and providing crucial spatial stability assurance for the precise and vertical embedding of the nut.

[0074] The present invention also proposes a production line body, including a hot pressing assembly device 100 as described above. Specifically, the production bus includes a workpiece loading device, a hot pressing assembly device 100, a workpiece unloading device, etc. By using an automated production bus, efficient and precise assembly can be performed. The specific structure of the hot pressing assembly device 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the production bus proposed in the present invention adopts all the technical solutions of the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0075] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hot-pressing assembly apparatus for assembling nuts and watch cases, characterized in that, The hot-press assembly equipment includes: frame; An active mechanism is mounted on the frame and has a reciprocating heating stroke and a reciprocating assembly stroke. A heating assembly connected to the movable mechanism, the heating assembly having a heatable heating head configured to carry the nut and heat the nut in a first position; and A positioning element, which is fixedly mounted on the frame, is configured to support and position the watch case so that the watch case is in a second posture. The active mechanism is configured to drive the heating component to move sequentially along the reciprocating heating stroke and the reciprocating assembly stroke, so that the nut in the first posture and being heated is assembled into the watch case in the second posture, wherein the axis of the nut in the first posture is perpendicular to the inner wall of the watch case in the second posture.

2. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The movable mechanism includes a first motion module, a second motion module, and a movable component. The movable component is movably mounted on the first motion module, and the lifting end of the second motion module is fixedly connected to the first motion module. The heating component is fixedly connected to the movable component. The first motion module is configured to drive the movable part to perform a reciprocating heating stroke along a first direction, and the second motion module is configured to drive the movable part, after completing the reciprocating heating stroke, to perform a reciprocating assembly stroke along a second direction. The first direction is set along the length direction of the frame, and the second direction is set along the height direction of the frame. The length direction of the frame is perpendicular to the height direction of the frame.

3. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The frame has a nut loading station, a nut heating station, and a nut assembly station; the first motion module is configured to first drive the movable part to move along the reciprocating heating stroke from the nut loading station to the nut heating station, and then move from the nut heating station back to the nut loading station; the second motion module is configured to move the heated nut from the nut loading station to the nut assembly station.

4. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The nut loading station and the nut heating station are aligned along the first direction, and the nut assembly station and the nut loading station are aligned along the second direction.

5. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The frame also includes a limiting component, which includes a first limiting block and a second limiting block that are fixedly set. The first limiting block is configured to stop the movable part from reaching the nut loading station, and the second limiting block is configured to stop the movable part from reaching the nut assembly station.

6. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The frame also includes a guide assembly, which includes a support plate and a guide rod. The guide rod extends along the second direction and passes through the support plate along the second direction. The first motion module is located on the side of the support plate facing the positioning member, and the second motion module is located on the side of the support plate away from the positioning member. The lifting end of the second motion module is fixedly connected to the side of the support plate facing away from the positioning member, so that the support plate can reciprocate linearly along the guide rod in the second direction.

7. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The heating assembly further includes a heating rod and a heat-conducting block. The heating rod is disposed in the heat-conducting block, and the heating head is fixedly disposed on the heat-conducting block. The heat-conducting block is fixedly connected to the movable component.

8. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The heating assembly also includes a heat insulation plate, which is fixedly mounted on the movable part, and the heat-conducting block is fixedly mounted on the side of the heat insulation plate facing away from the movable part.

9. The hot-pressing assembly equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hot-press assembly equipment also includes a pressure-holding assembly, which includes a pressure-holding drive and a pressure-holding component. The pressure-holding component is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressure-holding drive. The pressure-holding drive is configured to drive the pressure-holding component to rotate toward the positioning component, so that the pressure-holding component can apply pressure to the case located on the positioning component.

10. A production line body, characterized in that, Includes the hot-press assembly equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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