Heat shrink tube assembly system and heat shrink tube assembly method

Abstract

The present application discloses a heat-shrink tube assembling system and a heat-shrink tube assembling method. The heat-shrink tube assembling system comprises a clamp for clamping and fixing a wiring harness product, a gripper for gripping a heat-shrink tube pre-assembled on the wiring harness product, and a moving device connected to the gripper for moving the gripper along the axial direction of the wiring harness product to move the heat-shrink tube gripped by the gripper to a predetermined assembling position. In an exemplary embodiment according to the present application, the heat-shrink tube assembling system can automatically assemble the heat-shrink tube on the wiring harness product, improve the assembling efficiency and quality of the heat-shrink tube, and be applicable to an automatic production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat shrink tubing assembly system and a heat shrink tubing assembly method. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, it is common practice to fit and heat-shrink a heat-shrink tubing over the exposed connectors of wire harness products to seal them securely. The heat-shrink tubing provides a waterproof seal, effectively protecting the connectors. However, current techniques typically involve manual assembly of the heat-shrink tubing onto the wire harness, a method that is highly inefficient and produces poor assembly quality, making it unsuitable for automated production lines. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a heat shrink tubing assembly system is provided. The heat shrink tubing assembly system includes: a clamp for clamping and securing a wire harness product; a gripper for gripping heat shrink tubing pre-attached to the wire harness product; and a moving device connected to the gripper for moving the gripper axially along the wire harness product to move the heat shrink tubing gripped by the gripper to a predetermined assembly position.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a position controller, and the moving device is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing precisely to the predetermined assembly position under the control of the position controller.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes: a position detection device for detecting the position of the heat shrink tubing. The position controller controls the moving device based on the difference between the position of the heat shrink tubing detected by the position detection device and the predetermined assembly position until the difference equals zero.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the position detection device includes: a first camera for capturing images of the wire harness product and the heat shrink tubing and identifying the position of the heat shrink tubing and the predetermined assembly position based on the captured images.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device is a robot, the gripper is mounted on the end of the robot, and the robot is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing to the predetermined assembly position under the visual guidance of the first camera.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the moving device includes: a bracket; a lead screw rotatably mounted on the bracket; a nut threadedly connected to the lead screw; and a servo motor mounted on the bracket and connected to one end of the lead screw, wherein the gripper is connected to the nut such that the gripper can move synchronously with the nut under the drive of the servo motor.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wire harness product includes a wire harness and terminals electrically connected to the ends of the wire harness; the clamp includes: a first clamp for clamping and securing the wire harness; and a second clamp for clamping and securing the terminals. When the heat shrink tubing is moved relative to the terminals to the predetermined assembly position, the joint between the terminals and the wire harness is enclosed in the heat shrink tubing.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a heating device for heating the heat shrink tubing that has been moved to the predetermined assembly position to heat shrink the heat shrink tubing onto the wire harness product.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heating device is a gas heating device, which heats the heat shrink tubing by injecting hot air into the heat shrink tubing.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heating device is an electric heating device, which heats the heat shrink tubing by thermal radiation.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heating device includes: a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies having a gas passage formed therein and uniformly distributed jet holes communicating with the gas passage formed on their inner wall surfaces; and a gas source connected to the inlet of the gas passage of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies for supplying hot air to the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies, wherein the heat shrink tubing is adapted to be housed in a cylindrical heating device composed of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies to enable uniform heating of the entire outer circumferential surface of the heat shrink tubing.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes: a quality inspection device for checking whether the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tubing is qualified.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the quality inspection device includes: a second camera for capturing images of the heat-shrinkable tubing after heat shrinking; and a quality judgment device adapted to determine whether the heat shrinking quality of the heat-shrinkable tubing is qualified based on the images captured by the second camera.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes: a heating controller, adapted to adjust the heating time and heating temperature of the heating device according to the inspection results of the quality inspection device, so as to ensure that the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tubing meets the predetermined requirements.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling heat shrink tubing is provided. The method includes the following steps:

[0019] S10: Provide the aforementioned heat shrink tubing assembly system;

[0020] S20: Pre-fit the heat shrink tubing onto the wire harness product;

[0021] S30: Secure both ends of the wire harness product with clamps;

[0022] S40: Hold the heat shrink tubing with a gripper;

[0023] S50: The heat shrink tubing held by the gripper is precisely moved to the predetermined assembly position on the wire harness product using a moving device;

[0024] S60: The gripper releases the heat shrink tubing and moves the gripper to its initial position via the moving device; and

[0025] S70: The heat shrink tubing is uniformly heated using a heating device, so that the heat shrink tubing is heat-shrinked onto the wire harness product.

[0026] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the heat shrink tubing assembly system can automatically assemble heat shrink tubing onto wire harness products, improving the assembly efficiency and quality of heat shrink tubing, and is applicable to automated production lines.

[0027] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the gripper is in an initial position and grips the heat shrink tubing;

[0029] Figure 2 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat shrink tubing is moved to a predetermined assembly position by a gripper.

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the gripper releases the heat shrink tubing and returns to its initial position;

[0031] Figure 4 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a heating device heats the heat shrink tubing;

[0032] Figure 5 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat shrink tubing is heat-shrinked onto a wire harness product. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof.

[0034] Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for ease of explanation to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and apparatuses are illustrated to simplify the figures.

[0035] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, a heat shrink tubing assembly system is provided. The heat shrink tubing assembly system includes: a clamp for clamping and securing a wire harness product; a gripper for gripping heat shrink tubing pre-attached to the wire harness product; and a moving device connected to the gripper for moving the gripper axially along the wire harness product to move the heat shrink tubing gripped by the gripper to a predetermined assembly position.

[0036] According to another general technical concept of the present invention, a method for assembling heat shrink tubing is provided, comprising: providing the aforementioned heat shrink tubing assembly system; pre-fitting the heat shrink tubing onto a wire harness product; fixing both ends of the wire harness product with clamps; gripping the heat shrink tubing with a gripper; precisely moving the heat shrink tubing gripped by the gripper to a predetermined assembly position on the wire harness product using a moving device; releasing the heat shrink tubing from the gripper and moving the gripper to an initial position via the moving device; and uniformly heating the heat shrink tubing with a heating device, such that the heat shrink tubing is heat-shrinked onto the wire harness product.

[0037] Figure 1 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the gripper 4 is in an initial position and grips the heat shrink tubing 2; Figure 2 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat shrink tubing 2 is moved to a predetermined assembly position by a gripper 4. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the gripper 4 releases the heat shrink tubing 2 and returns to its initial position; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a heating device 6 heats the heat shrink tubing 2; Figure 5 This diagram shows a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the heat shrink tubing 2 is heat-shrinked onto the wire harness product 1.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a heat shrink tubing assembly system is disclosed. The heat shrink tubing assembly system includes: a clamp 3, a gripper 4, and a moving device 5. The clamp 3 is used to clamp and secure a wire harness product 1. The gripper 4 is used to grip a heat shrink tubing 2 pre-attached to the wire harness product 1. The moving device 5 is connected to the gripper 4 and is used to move the gripper 4 axially along the wire harness product 1 to move the heat shrink tubing 2 gripped by the gripper 4 to a predetermined assembly position.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a position controller (not shown). The moving device 5 is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing 2 precisely to a predetermined assembly position under the control of the position controller.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a position detection device 7 (not shown). This position detection device 7 is used to detect the position of the heat shrink tubing 2. The position controller controls the moving device 5 based on the difference between the position of the heat shrink tubing 2 detected by the position detection device 7 and a predetermined assembly position, until the difference equals zero.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the position detection device 7 includes a first camera 71, which is used to capture images of the wire harness product 1 and the heat shrink tubing 2 and to identify the position and predetermined assembly position of the heat shrink tubing 2 based on the captured images.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the moving device 5 includes a bracket 50, a lead screw 51, a nut 52, and a servo motor 53. The lead screw 51 is rotatably mounted on the bracket 50. The nut 52 is threadedly connected to the lead screw 51. The servo motor 53 is mounted on the bracket 50 and connected to one end of the lead screw 51. A gripper 4 is connected to the nut 52, enabling the gripper 4 to move synchronously with the nut 52 under the drive of the servo motor 53.

[0043] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device 5 may be a robot, and the gripper 4 may be mounted on the end of the robot. The robot is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing 2 to a predetermined assembly position under the visual guidance of the first camera 71.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the wire harness product 1 includes a wire harness 11 and terminals 12 electrically connected to the ends of the wire harness 11. The clamp 3 includes a first clamp 3a and a second clamp 3b. The first clamp 3a is used to clamp and secure the wire harness 11. The second clamp 3b is used to clamp and secure the terminals 12. When the heat shrink tubing 2 is moved relative to the terminals 12 to a predetermined assembly position, the joint portion 13 between the terminals 12 and the wire harness 11 is enclosed in the heat shrink tubing 2.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a heating device 6 for heating the heat shrink tubing 2, which has been moved to a predetermined assembly position, to heat shrink the heat shrink tubing 2 onto the wire harness product 1.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 6 is a gas heating device, which heats the heat shrink tubing 2 by injecting hot air into it.

[0047] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the heating device 6 can be an electric heating device that heats the heat shrink tubing 2 through thermal radiation.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the heating device 6 includes a pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 60 and an air source (not shown). A gas passage 61 is formed inside the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 60, and uniformly distributed jet holes 62 communicating with the gas passage 61 are formed on their inner wall surfaces. The air source is connected to the inlet of the gas passage 61 of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 60 for supplying hot air to the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 60. The heat shrink tubing 2 is adapted to be housed in the cylindrical heating device 6 composed of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies 60 to enable uniform heating of the entire outer circumferential surface of the heat shrink tubing 2.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a quality inspection device 8, which is used to check whether the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tubing 2 is up to standard.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 5As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the quality inspection device 8 includes a second camera 81 and a quality judgment device (not shown). The second camera 81 is used to capture images of the heat-shrinkable tubing 2 after heat shrinking. The quality judgment device is adapted to determine whether the heat shrinking quality of the heat-shrinkable tubing 2 is qualified based on the images captured by the second camera 81.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the heat shrink tubing assembly system further includes a heating controller (not shown). This heating controller is adapted to adjust the heating time and temperature of the heating device 6 based on the inspection results of the quality inspection device 8, to ensure that the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tubing 2 meets predetermined requirements.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling heat shrink tubing is also disclosed. This method includes the following steps:

[0053] S10: Provide the aforementioned heat shrink tubing assembly system;

[0054] S20: Pre-fit the heat shrink tubing 2 onto the wire harness product 1;

[0055] S30: Secure both ends of wire harness product 1 with clamp 3;

[0056] S40: Use gripper 4 to grip heat shrink tubing 2;

[0057] S50: The heat shrink tubing 2 held by the gripper 4 is precisely moved by the moving device 5 to the predetermined assembly position on the wire harness product 1;

[0058] S60: The gripper 4 releases the heat shrink tubing 2 and moves the gripper 4 to its initial position via the moving device 5; and

[0059] S70: The heat shrink tubing 2 is uniformly heated by the heating device 6, so that the heat shrink tubing 2 is heat-shrinked onto the wire harness product 1.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments can be freely combined without causing structural or principle conflicts, and these changes should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0061] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0062] While some embodiments of the general concept of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general concept of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0063] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the words "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Furthermore, any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A heat shrink tubing assembly system, characterized in that, include: Clamp (3) is used to clamp and fix wire harness products (1); A gripper (4) is used to grip the heat shrink tubing (2) that is pre-attached to the wire harness product (1); and A moving device (5), connected to the gripper (4), is used to move the gripper (4) along the axial direction of the wire harness product (1) to move the heat shrink tubing (2) held by the gripper (4) to a predetermined assembly position.

2. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A position controller, wherein the moving device (5) is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing (2) precisely to the predetermined assembly position under the control of the position controller.

3. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Position detection device (7) is used to detect the position of the heat shrink tubing (2). The position controller controls the moving device (5) based on the difference between the position of the heat shrink tubing (2) detected by the position detection device (7) and the predetermined assembly position until the difference is equal to zero.

4. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The position detection device (7) includes: A first camera (71) is used to capture images of the wire harness product (1) and the heat shrink tubing (2) and to identify the position of the heat shrink tubing (2) and the predetermined assembly position based on the captured images.

5. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mobile device (5) is a robot, and the gripper (4) is mounted on the end of the robot. The robot is adapted to move the heat shrink tubing (2) to the predetermined assembly position under the visual guidance of the first camera (71).

6. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mobile device (5) includes: Bracket (50); A lead screw (51) is rotatably mounted on the bracket (50); Nut (52), threadedly connected to the lead screw (51); and A servo motor (53) is mounted on the bracket (50) and connected to one end of the lead screw (51). The gripper (4) is connected to the nut (52), so that the gripper (4) can move synchronously with the nut (52) under the drive of the servo motor (53).

7. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire harness product (1) includes a wire harness (11) and terminals (12) electrically connected to the ends of the wire harness (11); The clamp (3) includes: A first clamp (3a) is used to clamp and secure the wire harness (11); and The second clamp (3b) is used to clamp and fix the terminal (12). When the heat shrink tubing (2) is moved relative to the terminal (12) to the predetermined assembly position, the joint (13) between the terminal (12) and the wire harness (11) is wrapped in the heat shrink tubing (2).

8. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Also includes: A heating device (6) is used to heat the heat shrink tube (2) that has been moved to the predetermined assembly position to heat shrink the heat shrink tube (2) onto the wire harness product (1).

9. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heating device (6) is a gas heating device, which heats the heat shrink tube (2) by spraying hot air into the heat shrink tube (2).

10. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heating device (6) is an electric heating device, which heats the heat shrink tubing (2) through thermal radiation.

11. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heating device (6) includes: A pair of semi-cylindrical bodies (60) having gas passages (61) formed inside and uniformly distributed jet holes (62) communicating with the gas passages (61) formed on their inner walls; and An air source, connected to the inlet of the gas passage (61) of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies (60), is used to supply hot air to the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies (60). The heat shrink tubing (2) is adapted to be housed in a cylindrical heating device (6) composed of the pair of semi-cylindrical bodies (60) so as to uniformly heat the entire outer circumferential surface of the heat shrink tubing (2).

12. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, Also includes: The quality inspection device (8) is used to check whether the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tube (2) is qualified.

13. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The quality inspection device (8) includes: A second camera (81) is used to capture images of the heat-shrinkable tube (2) after it has been heat-shrinked; and The quality judgment device is adapted to determine whether the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tube (2) is qualified based on the image captured by the second camera (81).

14. The heat shrink tubing assembly system according to claim 12, characterized in that, Also includes: The heating controller is adapted to adjust the heating time and heating temperature of the heating device (6) according to the inspection results of the quality inspection device (8) to ensure that the heat shrink quality of the heat shrink tube (2) meets the predetermined requirements.

15. A method for assembling heat shrink tubing, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S10: Providing a heat shrink tubing assembly system according to any one of claims 1-14; S20: Pre-fit the heat shrink tubing (2) onto the wire harness product (1); S30: Fix both ends of the wire harness product (1) with clamps (3); S40: Hold the heat shrink tubing (2) with the gripper (4); S50: The heat shrink tubing (2) held by the gripper (4) is precisely moved to the predetermined assembly position on the wire harness product (1) using the moving device (5); S60: The gripper (4) releases the heat shrink tubing (2) and moves the gripper (4) to the initial position via the moving device (5); and S70: The heat shrink tube (2) is uniformly heated by the heating device (6) so that the heat shrink tube (2) is heat-shrinked onto the wire harness product (1).

Images